Tuesday, December 22, 2009

A trip to Washington state....

I am so grateful that I had everything done and caught up, because last week we got a call that Don's mom was dying..We found out in the morning and by 4 pm we were in Seattle and visiting her...We were there a week and it was exhausting! The good news is she made a miraculous recovery, but she is 90 years old so we will see what happens. Don got to say his goodbyes, and the next trip would be a funeral I guess...Family things are so stressful. I think when we got home late Monday night we both felt like we could sleep for a month. I am tired of eating out and tired of living out of a suitcase....I love that Don and I are initially from the same area and that he knows my family....He loves to say laughingly that he knows "we are all nuts.." Well, after this week, he has nothing on me, let me tell you and I think that phrase officially went by the wayside. My personal opinion is that every family is crazy in one way or another....I heard on David Letterman tonight that Christmas time is the number one time for heart attacks...Because of FAMILY....jeesh. Can anyone else relate to this?
I had all these plans of getting Christmas postcards out to all my friends and it just didn't happen...I made six last night and sent them out today....They were fun to make and I put our picture under vinyl with some sparklies in the pocket....These went out to some of our family members.



not the greatest picture, but you get the idea....I also thought I would show some little Christmas'y things upstairs in the kids room...This year it is mainly for Jace, but I love to decorate for the little kids....The stuffed Christmas toys that are on the bed are my own children's....Santa Claus has no nose because Andrew loved it right off of him after he got a present when he was two...He was very into this stuffed Santa for a long time.



here is Jace's little purple tree that he gets to touch since the ornaments are plastic...He is fascinated by it...


and last of all, here is a little grouping of some retro things that I enjoy in my sewing room...tinsel, a box of tree snow and some ornaments that my mom gave me over twenty years ago....



that is my grandmothers old singer treadle machine that they are sitting on.....I also have been making a few things that I will show in my next post and I am going to have a little giveaway....Haven't decided what yet, but it is coming....
I also found out that my little green quilted piece that I did for the blind challenge will be in Quilting Arts Online.....I got a request to send it in, and I didn't put a rush on it, otherwise I think it might have made the actual magazine...It is still an honor and I learned when someone asks, send it priority....It will be on the website in February/ March....Christmas is drawing near....I am getting excited. Are you ready?

9 comments:

Quiltingranny said...

Oh yes, I can relate. After being a police dispatcher for many years this time is also the number #1 time of year for DV and suicides.
I know what you are going through right now as I did that in October and stayed with my mom 2 weeks, also a miraculous recovery! Wish I knew you were here, we could have met for coffee!

Pat said...

I agree that all families have "nutty" things in them...although some families try to pretend otherwise! Enjoyed seeing your photos and hope the rest of the holiday season goes smoothly for you.

JennaLouiseCreates said...

I sure can relate. I always run to the kitchen to do dishes so then I don't have to deal with all the conversations and drama. Dishpan hands makes for low stress:) Oh how I love your decorations and fun little postcards...I wish you and your family the best of holidays. I'm working on some submissions in 2010...who knows:) I will look for yours on-line. Blessings,
Jenna Louise

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I'm ready except for some baking which I will work on today. My asthma kicked up, I feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest.
I have a old singer from my grandfather, he was a tailor in Chicago. Enjoy all the memories you make this year. Glad that Mom is doing better.

sannabanana@comcast.net said...

Yup all families have a few good nuts in em! Like Forest Gump says like is like a box a chocalates ya never know what cha gonna get until...
OMG the blog is beautiful Melinda and it has been way too long since I visited!!! So much beauty to comment upon. I absolutely adore the mural you did on the room wall it's phenominal! You have increased the value of that home! I always love seeing the house makeovers and this is a really good one,
The engagement ring is wowza! I am so glad you found love.. Don looks like a great guy.
Lovew all your trailer pictures too they are so groovy mon! You are just aving a great time and I am so happy for you.
Love all the pink tree stuff and the bird that's pink and that tag too, We are deffinetely the pink sisters. Can never get enough of that color can we???
All the kids in your family are adorables by the way! Even that kitten and the picture of it sleeping near Coopers face is hysterical! It's so tiny and Coooper is so humungous.
It was great talking with you on the phone but too short, we'll have to talk soon after Christmas and New Years when there's more time. Plus I wanna know how Don spoiled you too! God Bless and Happiest of Holidays my friend. Congrats on being published again as well! Love you, Sanna

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Oh I love that purple tree!!!! Have a merry Christmas dear lady! Enjoy the kids and travel safe!

~*~Patty Szymkowicz said...

Popping in dear Melinda to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Brightest of Blessings All Ways!!!
oxoxo

roc said...

i giggled when i read about your family writings. i can relate and i believe that all families have some kind of craziness to them.
wanted to tell you i tried your candy recipe. couldn't find the spanish nuts anywhere....so i substituted toffee peanuts. they turned out pretty good and are going to some hungry bellies tomorrow for christmas.
always enjoy coming to see what you are up to. i'm intrigued by your give away. congrats on making the cover! i'm proud of you!

Laurie said...

Wow - it's a good thing that you were on top of Christmas or that unexpected trip out of town might have been even more stressful! I'm glad she's okay, and that you had a chance to get to know Don's family better. Yes -- all families are a little crazy!

Congratulations on your quilted piece getting recognized! How exciting!