Happy Thanksgiving

Just quickly popping in to wish all of my American friends a very Happy Thanksgiving! In both Canada and the United States, we have so very much to be thankful for. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has a loved one oversea's or ill.

I haven't been able to blog much, because my dog Mable has been hogging the computer. I have wrestled it away from her, and promise to blog long and loud this weekend.

Wooly hugs, Trudy

Autumn must be here..cause hockey has started!

We have a busy, busy household this past month, and I will give you a zillion pictures showing what we have been up to.

Some of our days have been spent at the Memorial Centre watching hockey. Yep, summer is over here and the Peterborough Petes are back in town! Adam has settled back nicely with our family after spring and part of summer spent at home in the Czech Republic. He came back weighing 210 lbs. and is 6'2"; all solid muscle. It is good to have him back, he keeps Jeff on his toes and out of my hair! Adam never walks when he can run, and is a very, very busy 17 year old. He and our Jess have both returned to school, and the house feels very full and happy:)

We went to my brother in law Simon's 50th birthday party, and we got to visit with Jeff's cousin Nancy, her husband Bill, and their daughter, son in law and baby Alexis who is only three weeks older than our Owen. I got some snuggle time with her, so I was too busy to take pictures. Hopefully we will see them over our Thanksgiving weekend, they come to the Norwood area, and like to go to the fair as we do also. I would love to get our Owen and little Alexis together to see how they act.

Our weather has been great now that September is here. Sunny and very cold at night, down to 4C, but up to 25C in the day. This is the longest stretch of sunny, warm weather that we have had in months, and I have been outside enjoying it as often as I can:) My gardens have been sadly overlooked, and I have been playing catch up with the plantain and crabgrass! Despite my poor care, the mild weather has helped with juicy tomatoes, and lovely flowers.






I got my ingrown toenail ripped off again (I know, it's gross) and then promptly got the flu after. I spent most of last week in a daze, falling asleep on my (sore) feet, and acomplishing nothing. I am much better this week, although my voice has gone, and I have a wicked cough. I am really hoping that this is not another round of hoarseness that lasts four months!

We spent a great day at the Toronto Zoo, with Jeff, Adam and Jessica. It was hotter than hell that day, but not too crowded. I took my walker, and I made out just fine. By the end of the long ride home in the car, I just wanted to cry, cause my body ached so much. It was worth it though:)


















We went to Kerri's mom and dad's for a swim and dinner, and the boys and Kerri had some fun in the water. I watched from dry land! Julie and Paul are the nicest in laws that our son Jake could have ever asked for, we always enjoy ourselves so very much when we do get together.

Kerri is so good to have a dinner every couple of months with the grandparents and even great grandparents at their home, so we can get a visit in with them.














Of course, whenever we can sneak in a chance to babysit little Owen, we grab it! He is now approaching 7 months, and two little teeth have just broken through the surface on the bottom of his mouth. He also has a cold, and hasn't been very happy for Kerri and Jake, although we still managed to get some smiles out of him.








Adam's hockey mate Jiri Sekac, who is also from the Czech Republic arrived, and although he isn't staying with us, he has spent quite a few hours at our place fishing, tubing, playing ball and frisbee, and eating:) Those boys sure can eat! Adam has been so great to help him get settled. Cheap movie nights, school, new friends for Jiri, and trying to master the language can make it very intimidating for a 17 year old who has never been away from home before. He is such a sweetie though, with his white blond hair perfectly arranged, the matching outfits, and smelling so good all of the time. He seems much to young to be so far from home, but his landparents are a really nice couple who have had Euro Petes players before, so they will look after him.




While in the midst of all of this business, hubby Jeff decided that he was going to put flooring down in my computer/craft room. I wanted to paint the room before he did the floor, so I had to quickly get my bazzillion books, and various craft materials out of there, and choose a paint colour! I have to say that I love the way it is turning out...I'll post some after photos....well, after I guess! The one great thing to come out of it, is the desk that was in there kind of fell apart when moving it, so I will get something smaller...yay!!

Haven't had the time or energy for doing much crafting, but I have sent out a package (I think) for a harvest swap that Char had on. I know that I will get my fingers to stitchin when the gardening is done for the year, and the snow gets on the ground. In our area, that can be as early as October:(






Now that I have semi-filled you in on the comings and goings of our lives, I had better get to bed. It's almost 2am! I promise to blog more often, and I do have some recipes to get on here.

Ending with the best thing of all....baby feet:)

Wooly hugs, Trudy

Blogs and Vacation..we're back!!

My gosh, it's been over a month since I blogged?? I cannot believe it!! Well we were away for two weeks at an island cottage that didn't have Internet, and I spent the week before we left getting packed, and I guess the past few days since our return have been spent recovering...so that explains it!

I have some pictures from our very quiet holiday. Just Jeff, me and the two dogs for two weeks. Jeff did a lot of fishing, I did a lot of reading and cooking, and we both ate our heads off and napped too much! All of these pictures are of sunsets, no sunrises for this lazy girl!

Poor old Buddy packed away in the truck like a suitcase!


The view from our deck.

The view from our deck.

Jeff and his fish.








More Jeff and his fish!








The weather wasn't very warm and it rained almost every day, but we managed to have nice evenings for fishing and sunsets.


The only picture of me while we were away...contemplating life, or trying to figure out how to get at the wild blueberries growing along the shore!

I did a little stitchery while at the cottage, and left it on the wall for Al who generously shares his beautiful spot with us every year.

He emailed me right away to thank me for it. That would indicate to me that he has some sort of Internet on the island, so next time I will be taking a laptop:)

My daughter Jessica has started a blog called Powdered Sugar and I just love it. She has always liked to play in the kitchen too, and she has gotten adventurous enough to blog about it.

Jess and Owen.

Adam flies back to us next week, and I can't wait to see him. He has been gone since April, and the house has been very quiet without him. Hockey camp doesn't start until the 26th so we have time for visiting and playing before hockey.

Son Jake and daughter-in-law Kerri were good enough to have the grandparents over for dinner Sunday night, so we got a great meal, and a visit with baby Owen as well! I missed the little guy while we were away; he seemed to have grown by several inches in just two weeks!

Well as much as I would dearly love to write more, but I somehow hurt my lower back last night, and today I can barely move for the pain. I cannot spend much time on the computer as I would like to...I have a ton of blogs to catch up on, but it will have to wait until this pain eases.

Wooly hugs, Trudy

Happy Canada Day!!

Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadian's!!!


Here is a picture that you can right click on and save to your computer to stitch up, or to print up for the kids to color.



Warning...you are about to look at pictures of a seriously cute baby!!








Can you tell who is Grandpa's Boy?? We had Owen for a sleepover last weekend, and we all had a wonderful time. We also had our sons dog Chip, so it made for a bit of a crazy little house with three weiner dogs a baby, and Jeff and I!!

Gramps taking Owen for a walk.



We didn't get out to see Jeff's Dad on Sunday as they were busy, so we went out Monday after Jeff finished work and took dinner and my Avonex injection stuff with us. Our niece Rachel who is 12 was at Bert and Jackies for the week, so we got to spend some time with her as well. When it came time for my injection, she decided that she wanted to do it, so after giving her the instructions, she did!! Never even batted an eyelash either, and it hardly hurt!


I told Bert and Jackie that I would come and get Rachel on Thursday morning and keep her until Saturday for a break for them. It would also give Jeff and I a chance to spend some time with her. They live out of town and of course they both work, so we don't get to see them that often. It's nice to get to know our younger relatives a bit better, they grow up so quickly it seems these days.


Rachel and I had a great (read tiring) time together though, and she is very outgoing and articulate for a 12 year old! On Thursday I took her for a hair cut, as she had told Jeff's Mom that she wanted some of her gorgeous black hair cut. I took her to my hairdresser Donna, who cut off about 8 inches of hair! It looked great after..Rachel is so tiny and her hair had been a bit overwhelming on her little face. After the cut, it sort of curled around her shoulders and chin. Then we went grocery shopping, and after dinner we took her to a lacrosse game. Neither Rach, or I had ever been to see a game at this level, and we loved it. The crowd was huge, and they were very enthusiastic. We sat with Jeff's aunt's and uncle's which was great, cause we got to watch lacrosse and have a visit with family as well! I have to admit, it was somewhat hard for me to follow the ball with these wonky eyes, but it was still fun. It seemed so much more rough than hockey, which is probably why I enjoyed it. I got us tickets for a game this Sunday night too.


On the Friday Rachel and I went to an afternoon movie. We went to see UP in 3D. It was a cute movie and the whole 3D thingy was fun, although I got tired of having to wear the 3D glasses over my glasses after the first half hour!


On Saturday, Jeff's sister Tina, came to pick Rachel up, and Jeff's mom and dad arrived for an afternoon watching the bagpipers at a Scottish Festival in Lindsay. Jeff's Dad and Brothers used to belong to the Pipe Band many years ago, and they love to go and see the pipers. I just go to see what they are wearing under their kilts! I asked Bert if they did wear underwear and he said that they used to run a drumstick up the side of the kilt, and if there were any bumps along the way that person would have to buy a round of drinks after the parade.

I couldn't get over the young kids in the various bands, both girls and boys, long hair and short.




I have been busy in the gardens, and with the house. Hubby Jeff has been knocking some stuff off of the very long 'honey do' list, and of course with that comes messes! The crab grass has returned along with the plantain weeds, and since we use no pesticides, it means that I am out in the yard sitting on my little cart wielding my trusty weed puller (my expensive, fancy weed puller is a steak knife by the way).

We are also going to spend two weeks at the island cottage that we rent every summer on Skeleton Lake, so the master list has been dug out, and I have started to cook and freeze some meals already. When we go to the cottage with the dogs, all we do is fish, eat, sleep, and for me read and stitch! I like to have as many meals as I can made up and frozen beforehand, cause we like to eat well, but I like to relax too.

I have drawn up a lot of stitchery designs to do while we are away, and I will take a ton of books. We also always take a large puzzle to do, and we leave it out on a piece of plywood in the living area to work on as we watch TV after dark. It is such a peaceful, beautiful spot, and I will bore you all with a kazillion pictures when we return. We don't go until the 18th, and I will try and get my gardens as tidy as I can, cause daugher Jess will be looking after the house while we are away. She wouldn't actually weed anything though, it's enough for her to try and keep the porch and deck flowers alive, and get the grass cut, and the house cleaned before we come home!

Adam will be coming back to live with us from the Czech Republic the week after we get back, and I wont have a lot of gardening time for a bit.

I am off to make a pineapple upsidedown cake....mmmm good!

Wooly hugs, Trudy

Saturday in the garden.

Just thought I would post a few pictures of some of my gardens.

We are babysitting little Owen and the mad weiner dog Chip overnight, so I am sure that I will have some new pics once I recover:)

An update on our mother duck. She either had her babies and took them away before I noticed, or none of her eggs survived. She has disappeared, and the eggs in the nest are broken. I was looking forward to seeing the little ducklings, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. At least I can get in that spot of the garden now and do so much needed weeding.

Enjoy!!

Wooly hugs, Trudy

Flowers and recipes

My now 15 week old grandson Owen trying out some new toys!


Some pictures of baby Owen at his first wedding on the weekend. We got to look after him on Friday, and he is really growing so fast. He is no longer content to lie back in his bouncy chair, he wants to sit up! I had to visit some yard sales on the weekend to get a couple of age appropriate items for the poor baby:)


Daddy and Baby Owen


Kerri, Jake and Owen


Is this shindig almost over? I am getting tired:(


Daddy's magic finger helping me to fall asleep.


Ahh, sleep at last...now Mommy and Daddy can have some fun!

Our weather here has been overcast/rainy/cold with the occasional nice day thrown in. The Mama duck is still sitting on her nest in my front garden so I haven't been able to get in there to clean and trim plants. She is spending all of her time on the nest now, so it must be soon time for her babies to arrive.


My honeysuckle vine has started to flower.


My horse chestnut tree in full bloom.

Now, a couple of recipes for you. I'll add a link to them for my sidebar too!

Stuffed Green Peppers

Recipe By : bettyjboop
Servings : 6
Prep time : 20 min.

Ingredients:
6 green bell peppers
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef

1/2 cup of uncooked rice, rinsed until water is almost clear
1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 (8oz) cans tomato sauce
1 tsp sugar
sour cream for garnish, optional

Directions:
Wash peppers. Cut off tops and remove seeds. Season cavities lightly with salt and pepper. Finely chop pepper tops and place in large bowl. Add onion, ground beef, rice egg, paprika, salt, pepper and garlic to bowl with pepper tops. Mix well. Stuff peppers lightly with meat mixture because rice will expand.

If you have any leftover meat filling, form it into meatballs. Place peppers and any meatballs in a small slow cooker. Mix together tomato sauce and sugar and pour over peppers. Cook on low for 8-10 hrs. This also can be cooked in a 350 degree oven for 1 hr. Serve peppers with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

Kahlua Pie

spring form pan
1 package (bag) of Chunky chip ahoy cookies
2 tubs of cool whip (your choice)
4 chocolate bars (I use crispy crunch)
Kahlua or Milk (I just use milk)

In the spring form pan, break up the cookies and lay at bottom, add Kahlua or milk make sure its enough to cover the cookies.. but don't soak them, then add the cool whip (1 tub) spread evenly. Break up 2 choc. bars and then sprinkle on top, then add the 2nd container of cool whip over the chocolate bars. Sprinkle the other 2 crushed chocolate bars on the top of this final layer.

Put in freezer for a day.. and there you go! you are finished!

Note: if you are watching your weight you can use the no fat cool whip:)

I have not been particularily busy with anything these days. I got a walker at the yard sales about a month ago, and it has been a great help with walking. I don't tip over quite as often if I have something to steady me. I was even able to go on the Great Strides walk for CF. My gorgeous niece Sarah, and my sweet great-nephew Ryder are pictured below. Sarah, Jamie and Ryder have been through so much with the news that Ryder carries the genes for CF, and also not active yet, they will be at some point. Although we sent a little donation, I wanted to DO something, so I showed up on the 'walk' day with my walker, and winter jacket on. It was only 1 1/2 weeks ago, but it actually snowed a bit that day!




I have lots of projects on the go, but haven't finished anything. Poking in the gardens a bit, but really I can't seem to settle down to do anything properly. Maybe if we get some nice weather, I will get organized! So no pictures of any merit craftwise at least.

Finishing with a picture of my DD Jess, just because I think that she is turning into a very strong, beautiful, loyal, funny, young woman:) Love you Jess!

Wooly hugs, Trudy

The rain

I know that I said I was glad to be finally getting some rain...but this is crazy!! The pictures are the view from my front door, and you can see that the road is totally flooded, and is filling up the driveway as well. My damn grass seed will be washed away for the second time this month:(











Now, a few nice sunny days are in order..Jay the weatherman...if you are reading this, do your magic:)

Ducks, Babies and Me:)

A little heart that I stitched for my mantle. I have made a few things, but haven't been great at taking pictures! I also have some things on the go...it is just to hard to stitch and watch hockey at the same time!

Grandson Owen visited me several times this past week, what a joy he is, even if he cries. It is well worth the time spent in bed after a 'visit', grandchildren are the best.











I have been working in the garden a bit, resting a lot, then puttering a bit more. It is hard to get anything done out front, as people stop to talk and ask questions about the plants, or to compliment me on how great everything looks. Little do they realize that mother nature is the one who should be getting all of the accolades, I am just the caregiver, and not a great one at that!



Our mother duck is still sitting on her nest of 10 eggs. The father visits occasionally, but I think that he likes to party with the other males to much, he really isn't too involved. The other night a cat tried to get at the eggs while mother duck was on the nest, and there was quite a lot of noise with quacks, and meows breaking the sound barrier. We ran out and chased the cat away, and mother duck sat in the middle of the road calling her mate. When he didn't show up, she flew off to find him. Of course I couldn't go to sleep until she returned to the nest, and I kept a close eye out for that cat.

On Sunday we went for a drive and Jeff took me down a country road that was lined with lilacs. The scent was amazing! While I supervised from my seat in the truck, he picked me a beautiful bouquet to take home. They don't last very long while in the house, but the smell of them reminds me of our wedding day. We had a ton of freshly picked lilacs (picked by me and daughter Jess) in large vases all over the little hall that we got married in. Since the reception was in the same room, we got to enjoy them all evening. Oh yeah, that anniversary is coming up fast...June 1st. We always seem to forget about it, one year we both forgot it! I always say that it is only one day, treat each other every day like its special!









We have finally been getting some much needed rain...too much, actually! I can see the shrubs and flowers growing by the hour. I will have to get my trimmers out when the weather clears!

I have caved in and joined Twitter. My name on twitter is bitsofwool of course! If you would like to follow me, here is a link: Trudy's Twitter Page. I have also permanently put it on my sidebar.

You know you have MS because...

A little lighthearted MS humour that I picked up from a message board that I belong to. Sadly (or funnily depending on how you look at it) these are all true!

If you can't laugh with me, then for God sake, laugh at me!!

You know you have MS when your balance isn't crazy it's just every floor in the world is suddenly crooked. I swear they did this just to screw with us.

You know you have MS when you walk into the kitchen for a glass of water, feed the dog and then sit back down with no water, so you get up again to get that darn glass of water and grab a snack sit down and 10 min later realize you still don't have the stinking water.

You know you have MS when you you fall UP the stairs.

You know you have MS when you you answer the remote and change channels with the phone.

You know you have MS when you get in the car, and a few blocks down the road forget where you're going.

You know you have MS when you find the cereal in the fridge and the milk in the cupboard.

You know you have MS when you have to look to see whether you still have your socks on or not.

You know you have MS when your laughing and crying at same time.

You know you have MS when you walk better DRUNK than you do sober.

You know you have MS when you can beat your most embarrassing moment several times in one day!!!

You know you have MS when you put your foot in the pool and the water is boiling hot, then you put in your hand and it is cold.

You know you have MS when you let the dog out and completely forget if you've let him back in or not. It's especially fun when you're searching the entire house for the dog because you could swear that you let him in, but when you finally get smart and decide to look outside just in case, you find him sitting in front of the door begging to come in.

You know you've got MS when you realize that you know where every public restroom in your county is located.

You know you have MS when you tumble to the floor and explain to people that you are just demonstrating gravity.

You know you have MS when you are at the neuro's office and his receptionist asked me my date of birth. I could NOT remember the year I was born. I looked at her and said, "I am almost 50. Does that help?"

You know you have MS when you pick a black wheelchair, cause it will match well with anything you wear.

You know you have MS when you show up at work/hockey/grocery store/doctors in your slippers.

You know you have MS when your monthly meds cost more than your house payment; hell, more than all of the other monthly bills.

You know you have MS when you're packing for a trip and realize you've counted out and packed all your meds and injections -- but haven't packed one stitch of clothing.

You know you have M.S. when you can relate to Toddlers and stroke patients learning how to walk, Pregnant women that have to go tinkle a lot, geriatrics, babies, & toddlers when you want to cry because your pants need changed. And you have a cane sword fight with an 80-yr old over a handicap parking space.

Of all the things I miss, it's my mind I miss the most. I have MS. What's your excuse?

This and that

I have been remiss in posting, and I do apologize. It's spring and I have been busy in the gardens, celebrating birthdays (Hubby Jeff's was yesterday) and spending time with baby Owen.

While pulling weeds and moving perennials around (I am the master at plant relocation by the way) I discovered that a mallard duck had made a nest in my daylily patch!



It's rather surprising because we are a good 8 blocks away from any water, but the information I have looked up says that they will nest from 1 foot to 1 mile from water. She has chosen to be about 1 mile, and it will be a long walk for her and the 10 ducklings when the time comes to get to the river. Luckily, she has nested in the front yard, right under our bedroom window, which is pretty safe from any animals!

It has put a crimp in my front yard clean-up though, as I have to stay away from the nest when she is roosting, or she flies out at my face!

Yesterday was Jeff's 49th birthday, and we had his family over for dinner and cake. The weather wasn't very nice, so we had to cram ourselves indoor's but it was great to see them. Son Jake brought Owen with him and Kerri went to another birthday party on her own, so we all got a chance to get some snuggle time with the baby. Jess was there as was Jeff's sister Julie and BIL Art, their daughters Eileen and Kathleen, Jeff's other sister Tina and her hubby Simon and daughter Rachel drove up from Whitby for the evening, and his Mom and Dad came in from Norwood. Jeff's Aunt Carol, cousin Deanna and BF John came over for dessert.



Jeff got phone calls from Adam (Czech Republic) in the afternoon, and from Brani (Slovakia) at 10pm! That made it 4am in Slovakia, but we both got a chance to have a good long chat since our company had just shut the door behind them when he called. We still miss him like crazy and are hoping to go over next summer to see him, and Adam's family, as well as visit Italy.

Adam's mom and stepdad got married yesterday, and when Adam phoned he filled us in on the wedding, and his training and school. He is coming back to us on August 8th, and his hockey won't start for 3 or 4 weeks after that, so we hope to take him to Wonderland, the Toronto zoo, and of course shopping and lots of fishing!

Baby Owen is 12 weeks old now, and is grinning and blowing rasberries and gurgling away now. Of course we had to take a few zillion pictures of him!







Today is a lazy day. I haven't been doing much in the way of stitching although I have a few things started as usual, but my fingers have been busy pulling weeds! I have a ton of projects that I want to do but there isn't enough time in the day, or energy in my body. I'll get to them eventually though. I'm tired from yesterday, so I'll spend it recovering...but it was totally worth it. Off for a nap, then to watch Detroit play some hockey.

Babysitting Baby on Tuesday

No words needed for these pictures. We are in love with our grandson/nephew:) Pictures taken Tuesday.

Our MS Walk

We went on our MS Walk on Sunday, and raised $1785.00! Imagine how much more we would have raised if we had joined sooner. Not a bad sum for less than two weeks of fundraising. A huge thank you to everyone who donated, walked, and sent their good luck wishes to us. The weather was beautiful, and the walk went off without a hitch. I managed to walk about half of the 5km. I would have walked more but dear Hubs and daughter Jess forced me into the wheelchair for a bit. Rightfully so as it turned out. My poor ankles look like cankles, and I took it pretty easy since for a few days.







What fun we had though. My friend Janet, her hubby Bruce and their two very, very sweet kiddies walked with us, as did my ex-husband Gregg and his girlfriend Wendy, son Jake, DIL Kerri, and grandson Owen. Jess, her BF Curtis, his dad John, and grandmother Vi walked as well. John had worked all night, and walked anyway! Jeff's sister the beautiful Julie walked (and even pushed me in the chair) as did hub's. We are already signed up for next year. Here are some more pictures of our day.







Today was a beautiful warm day, and I headed outside at 10:00am to pull weeds in the front garden beds. Now, I don't actually have any lawn on the front and west side of the house, its all gardens! I had planted a bit of Snow in Summer when I first made the front of the house all gardens to help fill in the spaces. However, the Snow in Summer loved my gardens, and proceeded to grow everywhere. By last autumn I had had enough! I dug up tons of it and put it in the green waste. I thought that I had gotten most of it...little did I know that it was quietly spreading underground, only to pop up everywhere last week. So I spent about 10 hours just digging up this damned plant. I still have probably another 10 hours of digging left. Then I will have to get in the backyard and start doing some work on those garden beds. This year my veggies will get planted in the back amongst the flowers, and I think that I'll only grow beans, cucumbers and tomatoes.

Got a little too much sun today...it felt really good, but I am pretty burned on the left side of my body but not the right since I wasn't facing that way. I also got some pretty funny sandel tan lines:)

The house is a madhouse tonight, as daughter Jess has a couple of her friends staying here for the weekend to help her friend Cassandra celebrate her 21st birthday. There are about 15 or 20 of guys and girls in the kitchen, and I must admit that I am getting a chuckle listening to bits and pieces of their conversation. I'll head back downstairs to watch some more hockey now.

Tuesday

Our MS Walk is coming up very quickly, and we have new people that have joined Team Esther. I cannot get over the kindness of family, friends, friends of family, and almost strangers! The little team that originally was supposed to consist of Hub's Jeff, daughter Jess, and son Jake has grown. My daughter Jess's boyfriend Curtis, his grandmother Violet (whom I have never actually met, and she is in her 80's) my ex-husband Gregg and his sweet girlfriend Wendy, sister-in-law Julie, my friend Janet, her Hubs, Bruce and children have all joined and are walking the 5km on Sunday.

It truly leaves me speechless...OK, I know that I have laryngitis again and can't actually speak anyway, but you know what I mean! We are now up to $1115.00 in donations! Wow! Wow! Wow! The kindness of my blogging buddies(especially in this recession) and fellow members of my online wooly groups, my hubby's family, my ex-hubs family, and friends amazes me. Haven't seen alot of action from my own family except for my brother Terry and his wife Nancy.

I wish that I could give you all a huge hug in person, but will have to settle for cyber hugs. I don't know if you realize how much your kind words, emails, and comments mean to me. Never mind the donations! It has given me such a lift, and I am forever grateful and humbled.

I thought that we would have everyone back to our house after the walk for some lunch and beverages, so I am list making again. The house is a mess and so are the gardens, but I imagine that no one is coming over to look at my house, and they will be so hungry and thirsty after the walk that they wont notice the dog fur tumbleweeds rolling by.

Every time I go and look at our TEAM ESTHER homepage, I find that someone new has donated. We have the wheelchair booked, and Jess and I are working on fun pennants buttons, balloons and banners. I think that a little face paint may be in order as well.

I have been stitching a bit here and there, but we were so busy over Easter that I haven't got much to show. I am working on a little project now, that should be done by tomorrow, and I am going to make a ton of my little "Blessed" stitcheries to give as gifts for my walkers. Quiet Jess, don't tell anyone.

Off to bed now, it has been a rather unproductive day, yet very tiring as I had to use my poor lesion addled brain today...makes me very tired.

Happy Easter

My Family surprised me today by joining the walk to end MS!

I was so shocked, and thrilled to bits today when I found out that my hubs, Jeff, my daughter Jessica, and son Jake had started a team called Team Esther (one of my many middle names) and plan to walk on April 19th for 5km in the 'Walk to fight MS'. Jess said that I could 'walk' too, cause they could rent a wheelchair and they would push me. Needless to say, it brought me to tears.

So if you would like to donate to Team Esther, or just to donate here is a link: MS Walk. I also added a button on my sidebar over there on the left. There isn't alot of time, since the walk is in two weeks. We hope that we can raise a ton of money, as they are really getting close now to finding a cure for MS>

Sorry that I have been MIA!

<
Didn't this little easter freebie that Robin from Bird in the Hand Primitives blog turn out great? I am working on a selling blog, and was going to post it for sale, but I think I want to keep it! Visit Robin's blog and stitch one up for yourself. She has a little cross stitch challenge going on right now, that I am trying to avoid entering, as I have enough projects on the go...but I may try it, cause it's so cute.

It's a cold March 31st here in Peterborough. The sun is supposed to come out and go up to 7C, but I have my doubts. Even my Mable is staying close to the fire this morning!



My little grandson Owen has just returned from Florida after a trip with Mom and Dad for two weeks. I missed the little guy terribly! We had to look after Chip their demon mini-dachshund, so it was be a busy house with three wiener dogs all week. Little Chip gets separation anxiety, so I didn't have much time for blogging or reading any ones blogs while he was here. Every time I sat at the computer, he wanted up on my lap, and its very hard to type with a dogs head on your arm. My Hub's had his hands full giving them their carrots after dinner each night. When they came by on the way home last night from the airport to pick up Chip, we got to have some snuggle time with Owen. I didn't get any pictures, but I was amazed at how much he changed in two weeks. He is smiling and making all kinds of faces now, and looks a few pounds heavier. My daughter in law just emailed me some pictures from their trip to florida, so I have added them on:)











Here is a pic of a couple of stitchery, a jar of rusty square nails, some wax and cheesecloth hearts, an old candle, and the most beautiful prim angel that I put over my chair in the kitchen. I am making it such a cozy area, that everyone wants to sit there now.


I have started a large (for me anyway) stitchery by Kathy Schmitz. I am using just a crochet cotton #10, all black and will fit in a 11X20 frame when done.


I have finished up a couple of stitcheries, and got to work outside for part of one day on the weekend, but the weather hasn't been very co-operative. My snow in summer plants are coming up everywhere in my front gardens, and I am anxious to get out there and rip some of them out! I will try and get some pictures of them up later this week.


We are also getting Adam ready to go home. Their hockey team got knocked out of the playoff race in the first round, so it's back to the Czech Republic for him until August. We will miss him, he is like family to us, and is planning on coming back early so that he can get in a little fishing with the boys before hockey camp starts up again. We just found out that his grandmother is in hospital at home, so we have booked him for a flight home Wednesday night...there is still a ton on packing for him to do. Of course, he will leave a lot of his winter stuff here, since the weather is much better at home.

I must run, and get the boy up and packing, he dosen't know that the Pete's have gotten him on a flight tomorrow, so we will have our work cut out for us today. Hope that those expecting/getting the huge blast of winter in the States are warm and safe.

Tuesday or Wednesday on Oprah

As you all know, I have been battling the MS demon for a couple of years now. I take Avonex injections weekly to help slow the progession, and will probably be switching to a different medication in the next few months, cause my MS isn't slowing down for the Avonex! That's OK, cause at least I still have other meds to help with the fight, so I am still hopeful.

On Oprah Wednesday (it airs today on some channels, and tomorrow on CTV), Dr. Oz and Montel Williams are on the show to talk about what to do after you receive an MS diagnosis. I don't know what the show will be like, but I encourage my friends and family to watch it, if only to get a better understanding of this disease. Montel has MS himself, and has really gone a long way to increase funding for research for MS.

So if you have a little time, sit down with a cup of tea, your kleenex and of course some cake or cookies to watch.

My birthday weekend.

Yep, I went and had a birthday over the weekend...sneaky aren't I? I turned 49, so it was pretty low key. We had my ex-hubby's second set of kiddies with us for the weekend, and son Jake, dil Kerri, and grandson Owen were with us quite a bit as well. Adam was home from hockey, as there were no games Saturday or Sunday, and my Jeff and the three dogs rounded out the numbers!! Thank you everyone for the phone calls, emails, and facebook messages! I even got to talk to Branilslav in Czech Republic, (Oh how I miss that boy) and Adam's parents, Mirko and Lenka also in Czech Republic.

Hubs had offered to take me out to dinner, but I decided to cook and have the kids here instead. It was much more relaxing, and gave us lots of cuddle time with little Owen. Maddy and Riley (the kids half brother and sister) were so much fun to have, and they got a chance to visit with their nephew while here as well! Of course Jess and I took a ton of pictures, and I thought that I would share them with you all.

I am off for a barium swallow today, so I am not too thrilled! Jess has had one, and she said that the chalk drink was pretty hard to keep down. I am a gagger, especially in the morning, so this should be interesting!

I'll try and post again tonight, cause I need to take a picture of the stitchery that Jess made me for my birthday.

Looking for a prim cat

10 days to go until SPRING officially arrives:)

My daughter Jess and I would love to make this prim cat, except that I didn't write down where I got the picture from:( Anyone?? I have been bloghopping like mad to see if it is on anyones blog, but so far no luck. I know that we could probably make up our own pattern and muddle along ourselves, but that wouldn't be right, or fair to the designer. So, if anyone has seen this little guy, send me a comment. Oh yeah, under the pics name it say's Bilmeyer Cat??

Wooly hugs,
Trudy

Our first time babysitting little Owen

Happy March everyone!

I am so excited...we got to babysit our little grandson Owen tonight for the first time!! Kerri and Jake took Adam to Costco to do a little shopping, and left Owen and little Chip with us. I suggested that they make plans to do this the same night every week, and to go for dinner somewhere first. That way, Jeff and I get to spend a couple of hours cuddling the little man, and Mom and Dad get a break. Of course, we didn't put him down except to change his diaper the whole time he was here, we just took turns holding Owen and sneaking in some cheek kisses. What bliss, what utter bliss:)








Went to the ear/nose/throat specialist today, and he asked me how long that I have been talking this way. I was having a great day vocally, you wouldn't be able to hear me very well, but my voice was much better than the last seven weeks, and I told him so. He says: You call that good? Thats not good! You have active MS right? And of course I said yes. Then he said: This is bad, I am going to freeze your nose and put a scope down. It wasn't bad, and he joked and chatted (and stared at my boobs I must add) the whole time. He asked me why I took eight weeks to seek medical treatment?? I said that I thought I'd had a cold, and it was leftover from that.

He thinks that I had developed a lesion or two on my vocal chord, which I have since dislodged, and would like to do a Barium Swallow to have a better look. Then back to him for the results. I have known for a while now that the medication I am on for my MS hasn't been working, and am planning on asking the Neuro to switch me to the nexr in line drug. It will mean three injections a week, but maybe it will slow things down. My eyes are still not a hundred percent, but as long as I can do my crafts, and see little Owen's face, I'm happy:)

I made this little stitchery for Bill and Nancy's new grandbaby Alexis. Sadly, I wasn't up to making the trip to Ottawa, but I sent it with Hubs.


Otherwise, things have been pretty quiet, gave myself my shot, and going to get my jammies on. Playing Grammy is absolutely the best...but a little tiring. I finally mailed Rondells valences to her today as well. She will have given up on ever getting them...I also have been collecting patterns for stitcheries, punch needle, and penny rugs, and am trying to organize them. I have a ton of create and decorate as well, and its hard to go through each one. I am not sure how to solve that dilemma, since the patterns are in the centre of the magazine, and are printed on both sides. I will take any and all suggestions on how to organize my admittedly large and unorganized collection of patterns and ideas. I need help!! And, no I do not want to downsize at this point; I want them all, but I want to be able to find them when I need them.

Some great Links for you.

Gen over at Ewenique Treasures is having an Easter Basket decorating challenge, and I thought that I would give it a go:) Anyone can join in, here is a link to the fun: Easter Basket Challenge or click on the bunny as well. The rules are pretty simple:
The Easter Basket Challenge will be: to create an easter gathering; however, you cannot use the typical easter basket to assemble it.

Be creative and use something else besides a basket... for instance you could use sand pails, enamelware bowls, treenware boxes etc or anything else as your "basket" container.

Fill those baskets up with whatever you like. The deadline is March 6th. Come on and join me in the fun. I already have a ton of ideas buzzing around in my head, cause Easter means that winter is almost over, and I can't wait for that to happen!


It's been awhile since I have posted any of the great links that I have found. Shame on me, not sharing them with you:(

Fabric Flower Garland with mini lights

From Real Simple, 99 low cost ways to organize.

Rough hands? When doing needlework, you notice if your hands are at all rough, and in the winter when it is so very dry inside, I notice it especially! Over at Mary's popular (at least with me it is) blog called: Needle n Thread there is a great post for a natural hand softener/smoother, using just a couple of things you already have in your kitchen. I tried it, and it works great.

For all of you stitchers, I encourage you to join Stitchin Fingers. Its a collection of groups for almost all kinds of stitching, and the amount of talent and knowledge there is amazing! There is a forum as well as different groups you can join depending on your interest, and I is growing daily.

Flikr has a few zillion photos, and tutorials with groups that you can join also, and I just wanted to list a few that I belong to. The nice thing with Flikr is you just use your Yahoo ID to join and log in, so you don't have yet another ID to remember.

Here are some of the Flikr groups I belong to:


Ga Ga for Garlands


The Embroidery Group


I Made It Myself Group


Arts and Crafts Tutorials


Embroidered Art


Country Primitives


In Stitches

I encourage you to explore Flikr, you will find something great I'm sure, and then you can come back and tell me about it, so that I can join!


Sherry of Annie's Cupboards has some gorgeous free patterns, and here is a link to her blog which has even more. Annie's blog



Anne at Bunny Hill Designs does quilting and sewing and is sharing a BOM which is also adaptable for stitching. She also has some great free patterns for baby blankies and stuffed toys.




Marilyn at The Toymaker has some wonderful FREE paper toys that you can make. Games, toys, boxes, bags, bookmarks and stories, there are alot of things to keep your little ones imaginations soaring.


Laurie at Prairie Edge Primitive has a great tutorial for making these heart pinkeeps. I think that they would make great bowlfillers as well, and she has made it look so easy, that I will add it to my huge pile of things I wanna make:)

Ginger at Primitives by the light of the Moon has another spring doodle that she is sharing with us. If you don't have Ginger's blog in your favorites, I urge you to visit, and you will be so amazed at her talents and her generosity, I just love visiting her blog every day.

Ginger also has a great tutorial if you are interested in starting miniature needle punch. Indeed, the little needle punched Santa that she sent my for an ornie swap at Christmas has inspired me to take on yet another craft.


How to make a Chipmunk Softie with an old glove. This one looks easy enough for me to try! I have a ton of single gloves in the mitten cupboard.


Lucy at Attic24 shows us how to make these great crocheted flowers and leaves. They would look great as a barrette, on gifts, bags or outfits.

For all of you bloggers that like to mess aroung with your templates (so far I have been to afraid to do anything new) Easy Custom Blogs has some great tutorials. If I post the link here, then I'll remember where it is and go and learn something. I won a Photoshop Elements last week on a giveaway, and I can't wait to learn how to use it.

Another place for blogging help is Blogbusters.


For lots of great clipart, and an interesting blog go to: Pennywigs. She also has a lot of good blog page tips too.

Well, thats it for now, enjoy the day:)

Monday

The stitchery that I made for Kathy. It was a saying that her Dad had given her, and she passed it on to me when I needed to hear it. So, I surprised her with a stitchery of the saying...I still have to get around to making one for myself, its on my to do list:) Thinking of you today Kath, since it is five years today that your Dad passed away. Hugs to you.

The Dogzilla I made for Owen.

A little penny rug for DIL Kerri's bathroom.

A little stitchery to go with the penny rug.



Visiting with Owen on Saturday. He slept the entire time we were there, so we just kept passing him around for snuggle time, then put him back in his cradle when we left!


Owen looking so handsome with his: I'll scratch my face if you take these mittens off' thingies on.


Dear Hubs, or Gramps as he would like to be known, trying to suck the fountain of youth out of Owen for himself.


Jess and Owen.


Kerri and Jake's little Chip inspecting Owen. Since he was asleep and quiet, he wasn't too interested.


Poor DIL Kerri...After going through such a long labour, then the c-section, now has cellulitis! Thank goodness that she is an emerg nurse, cause she had to go up to the ER on Saturday night, where they wanted to admit her for IV antibiotics. Some of her relatives are nurses too, and happened to be working, so they convinced the doc to let her go home with the IV and look after it herself. She is having such a rough time right now, and I wish that there was something magical that I could do to help her. I know that Jake feels pretty helpless too, I guess we can be so thankful that little Owen is healthy and thriving! Sending you soft hugs, and healing thoughts Kare Bear:)

Rondell, you will be thrilled to know that I am finally on the last of your valences! Good lord, they have taken me so long to do, what with stopping for other work, crocheting, family, and sickness, that I wouldn't be surprised to hear to your know longer need them cause you have moved into a seniors home! (She was considerably younger when I started them folks) I'll get them grubbied up and in the mail to you by Friday...Yes I said Friday (gasp) of this month.

I must tell you that dear Hub's, cut and peeled some apples for me yesterday, cause we had so many from the market, and from a fruit basket that his work had sent while he was sick. I decided to make an apple crisp, which isn't a big deal normally; but I haven't baked in awhile, so the smell of it baking was driving Adam crazy. Jess does not like apple crisp, so it was just the three of us eating it last night. When I got up this morning, there was only a wee corner of it left. I told Adam that it wasn't really a dessert, it was almost 'good' for you since it contained apples and oatmeal...I guess that he took my words to heart and had some for breakfast as well.

It's Monday which means its Avonex night tonight, so I have been busy cleaning the house. Doing the sheets and comforter, vacumming, sort of dusting, and putting out garbage, as well as tidying some of my 'craft' piles that seem to accumulated everywhere. If anyone ever wants to just pop in, Monday nights are the only time that my house is clean. I like it clean then, so that when I am sick from my shot on Monday nights, I won't be fretting about what needs to be done. So far, it has worked out great, although it also means that by the time the weekend rolls around, it needs doing again!

Oh yeah, after 7 weeks, I think that I am finally getting my voice back! I am so sick of everyone having to say 'pardon' or 'what', and I know that I was sick of whispering!! The kids are all in school and Hub's is back to work after being off for two weeks sick. It seems strange to actually be alone in the house...I am loving it of course, but it does seem strange!

I won, I won!

I won, I won!!!!

I am so excited today that I had to stop and share my happiness with you all. One of the giveaways I entered during the OWOH Giveaway made me a winner. Mike over at Dear Hubby Gentle Instruction had a giveaway for a sealed Adobe Photoshop Elements, if you would tell Mike what you would like your headstone to say when your time to pass comes along. I not only one the Photoshop, but he made me a headstone (shown abouve) of my very own. Mike also teaches classes, but he is way down in Cali, and I am way up here in Peterborough Ontario. Its a little to far to commute so I will have to stick with reading the 'help' files whilst learning how to use the Photoshop.

Thanks again Mike for hosting such a generous giveaway, and for picking me as the winner, it has just made my day:)

Owen William Lawson

Proud new Dad, Jake:)


Well, we went up to the hospital today so that Hubby Jeff and daughter Jess could meet little Owen. At 12 hours old, he has already changed since the night before. Kerri looked wonderful too! We all got a chance to hold and cuddle with him for a bit, and of course pictures had to be taken. This was the first time that Hub's has held a little newborn, but he fell in love right away, and looked pretty darn comfie. Jess of course was so pleased to meet her nephew...and you know that I was over the moon to get a chance to hold him....look at the goofy look on my face!

Momma, Dad, and baby are doing well, but very tired of course. I didn't have the heart to tell them that they will be tired for the next 18 to 199 years:) I think that I want the grankids to call me Grammy. Kerri's Mom does not care what she is called, so she will probably be Grandma, and I really, really don't want to be called Nana; so Grammy it is!

I am off to do my Avonex injection. I know that I was supposed to do it last night, but it was so late (after 2am), that I would have been too sick to go and hold the baby during visiting hours today, so the injection got shoved back a day! Jeff and Adam have gone back up to the hospital, so that Adam could meet the little guy. I will stab myself and go to bed early,

Adam and Owen posing for the camera:)

I forgot, I went to the doctor today to see if I am ever going to get my voice back since its been over six weeks now, and he is sending me to the specialist, cause he thinks that I may have a torn or paralyzed vocal cord, which could (or not) be related to that damn MS. I go on March 2nd, which isn't too long to wait at all. In the meantime, if you are calling my house, and just hear a little squeak on the line...it's just me:)

Our first Grandchild...finally!

He is offically called Owen William Lawson





I couldn't get these pictures to load via email, so I thought that I would post them on my blog for you all to see.








After being over a week late, our grandchild decided to make his entrance into his new Momma and Dad's world, with much fanfare. Poor Kerri had 43 1/2 hours of difficult labour, and then the doc decided that the little guy wasn't going to come out on his own after all, so they went ahead and delivered him at 2210 hours on February 16th by Cesarean section. By this point Kerri (and Jake) were so exhausted both mentally and physically, that they didn't care how he was going to be born, they just wanted him out! Kerri's Mom and Dad, (Julie and Paul) and I had been in the birthing room with her since about 4:00 pm (Kerri's Mom was there for the whole time but I didn't go until four) and she was really suffering for quite some time. After the little guy was born we got to sneak back in to see him get weighed and measured. He is 8 lbs. 7 ounces, and 21 inches long, with the longest blonde eyelashes I have ever seen on a babe.

For my son Jake, it was love at first sight. There is nothing so special as when you see new life, especially for the parents. I was pretty chuffed with his perfectness as well:) We took a few pics and got out of there so that Mom, Dad and baby could bond.

I am still on cloud nine:) I also forgot in my excitement that today is my injection day, so while I wait for my medicine to warm up, I thought that I would show the pictures of Baby Boy Lawson. Still to be named.....an update from last night, they have officially called him Owen William Lawson.

Of course I will be on Gammy overload with the camera for awhile, so if you aren't as fond of babies like me, then you will just have to gloss over them. I absolutely cannot wait to hold him in my arms, I really can't.

What a beautiful baby boy you have created Jake and Kerri, he is so lucky to have parents such as yourselves. I know without a single doubt, that children cannot be spoiled with love, and trust me, this little guy is going to be getting a LOT of love.











Even have a short video of the little guy:)