Finished! ...JoAnn and Dad

Good morning, Friends... Goodness!  It's March already!  I can't believe how fast time is rolling on by... 

And... I can't believe it myself...drumroll...I Finished It!!  My quilt is finished!  I had a spurt of crazy energy and figured I'd best get it done before all those sparking carbs totally disappeared.  (more cake is a bad girl thing but I cannot lie...I partook).

It took me 4 solid days which I'd spend the morning hours working.  I also decided to make a label for it.  It's a gift to our grandson, William who's in the Air Force.  I'm already planning my next quilt that will belong to great-granddaughter, Sloane.  I'll also make one for granddaughter Samantha...daughter Crystal and granddaughter, Sara.  Then there's grandbabies of Sam and Sara who are still "baking in the ovens".  Goodness!  At least they all won't be as large as my first one.  I don't have another large one in me right now.  I may change my mind but not right now.

 

Don't look too closely at the stitching!  It was a large quilt... I know I sewed "out of line" occasionally...lolol...but I got it done!  Poor William...getting Gamma's first quilt!

 

I quilted my lines every 2 1/2 inches...no matter what.  I know it isn't the best but, the squares were "off" at times...so I just kept going.

But it's done and I'm happy.

Truth right here!

JoAnn's Fabric is closing...dang it!  I stocked up on batting...there were 4 left !!  I just took the two so someone else had a chance to pick up some.  I also found some tracing paper so I can do some applique and some other things.

Our store says that around the first or middle of May...she'll be closing!  I'm not happy about it but I guess it's a sign of the times.  There is a quilt store south of us around 32 miles as the bird flies. They have gorgeous material but also, gorgeous prices.

Well, we finally got to see Larry's Dad at the rehab.  He's not helping himself at all...he doesn't get up by himself... and every time we visit, he's sleeping...and we have to wake him.  It's not a hopeful situation.  He wants to go home and have it the way it was before he became ill...probably won't happen if he's not willing to help himself!  He would have to have a full-time care person...he has the funds, hopefully enough to see him through... right now, he needs to be watched.  It's frustrating that we can't make him understand that he needs to push himself if he wants to improve.  He still has the UTI, they say, and a doctor is supposed to see him today.  We'll see what he says.

Well, I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing.  

Enjoy your week... if you're putting off things, Stop It!  Get up and move... so until next time....

Samantha's 30th...SIL Tim's 56th.

Good morning, friends!

Our granddaughter celebrated her 30th birthday Feb 23rd.  There was a party for both her and her Dad who also is celebrating his 56th birthday on the 26th.  Looks like the kids all had a really good time!  But...our GreatGran Sloane, taught them all how to "party down"! lol

Samantha

Samantha with hubby, Everett

Tim (Pops) enjoying his dessert.

Sloane and granma Lolli...no fear! lol

Sloane, "born to be wild..."

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...lol

Larry and I took off on Saturday to do some errands...grab some coffee and cakes...then went to see Larry's Dad at the rehab center.  The doors were locked and for the life of us...we couldn't find anyone to let us in the door!  Knocking, phone calling...ridiculous!   We finally had no other ideas, so we left.  We figured after talking with our daughter, Crystal, that maybe we should try to come back later or in the afternoon.  It was Sunday...oh well.  Larry said he'd try again today (Mon).

Well, it was a short week...I'm finishing up on my quilt...just waiting on the fabric pen I have to have for my label.  Then I can put the binding on and get it in the mail to our grandson, William, in Arkansas (AF).

Well, that's it for me this time...Just a quick birthday update.  I hope you all are doing well...staying warm or cool.  Be safe and happy...so, until next time...

 

St Valentine's Day...Breakfast, Lunch and Dad

 

Good morning, friends...another week has flown by.  It also seems that even when I tell the Universe that it needs to slow down time...no one seems to be listening to me...figures.

Great granddaughter Sloane...

Thank you, Ann!!  She always sends her cards out right at the time I most need it!

We went to Los Coucos Restaurant for our Valentine's Day lunch.  We filled up on those darn chips and sauces even before the meals made their appearance! lol ... But we forced ourselves to eat them...so good.

Lol...too cute and most probably, true.

I made French Toast Casserole this morning.  I used the lighter French bread cut into cubes.  I just threw together the ingredients, let it soak for about 15 minutes...added more cream, butter and some milk. Lots of sugar and cinnamon...and it made a great custard.  The secret is getting enough cream, butter and/or milk added.  I've had several of these casseroles that were too dry.  It's all about the custard...bake for 50 minutes at 350*.

Larry had his second cancer BCG treatment on Friday.  He did well.  The evening is always the roughest but he's doing better now.

No one is above the law...No One.

Disgusting...

I made wings and potatoes the other day...seriously good.

I use this recipe to create my own onion soup mix.  Make it up then store in a Ziploc bag or mason jar...whatever you have.

I found this recipe on Pinterest.  The ingredients seem to make me envision a more lush and moist cake.  I'll be trying it.  If you make it, let me know how you did!

Well. Larry's Dad, Gerald, is still in the rehab center.  I went to his house early the other morning to do some cleaning and clothes washing, sorting mail and emptying trash.  Then, yesterday we both went to visit Dad...oh my...Now he's using his pent-up anger at not being able to do for himself, on the poor workers.  One nurse we spoke with said she went to administer his meds and he just launched..."You don't have any brains in your head!  Get out"... just to name a few phrases.  I know he's tired... (new roommate = loud TV of which I asked the guy politely, to turn it down...he was nice and did so...)  Then we went to the nurse's station, and we began our "chat" about things.  Mainly, getting him out of that bed...on his feet...and when can his catheter come out!  He feels locked into that bed... so after the fire was lit... they went to his room and the "ballet" began.  When we finally left, his room was clean, bed changed, hearing aid found...fresh water on his bedstand, bathed and hair combed and wheeled to the lounge area still looking like he's like to do serious harm to anyone within arm's length!   You'd think he'd be glad of this, but he got another "shot" in at Larry!  We think, he thinks, the boys are just going to leave him there.  Larry stood his ground after Dad screamed at him, politely telling him to just stop yelling at him!  We are doing everything we can to help!  And to stop insulting the staff!  He then preceded to clam up...I know old age sucks...but you'd think after reaching 99, you'd be a bit more graceful about it.  I wouldn't know...I don't think I'll make 99.  Larry has gone this morning to check on him...We'll see what he says when he gets in...

SO... cliffhanger, I know but you'll just have to wait until next week to hear the rest of the story! lol

Until then...Have a sweet and safe week and...

Dad...Larry, Ruth and Rodger

 

Good morning, friends...It's been an interesting week.  I cooked...did some canning in my favorite canner from Presto.  It's electric and works like a dream.  You heat then fill your jars then (20 minutes) then basically, set it and forget it!  I got up early (3am) as usual, got all my supplies out and put it all together then canned hamburger meat.  Usually, 5lbs hamburger makes 5-pint jars...usually.  I got 4 jars of finished meat.

For just Larry and I, 2 lbs. of canned hamburger should do us for a while. The white stuff you see is fat...also some spice.

I also canned some Great White Northern beans. We love most beans...at least Larry does.  I can't eat Black Beans...never have been able to wrap my head around a bean that was black...It's a mental thing...they look like the dirt wasn't washed off...lol

I had the set since the '80's but the salt one broke years ago.  I kept the pepper one in my desk at work filled with salt... for years.  I still keep it at my desk here at home.  I had no idea it was such an expensive little shaker!

Larry has his 6-month round of BCG cancer treatments starting once a week for the next 4 weeks on Fridays...I guess he'll do these for the rest of his life...don't know yet.

In the photo above, the waiting room was full when we arrived...and then...

You all remember my sister Ruth?  Well, she's doing great and has had a knee replacement since her colon cancer treatments.  Everything has been rocking along pretty well...she still would have anger issues occasionally...but nothing I couldn't deal with... until 

Jan 27th.  

We usually can talk about most things...life, cooking, canning...sewing...you know, the casual stuff.  

Larry had been checking out our property tax payment online (making sure the payment was attributed to the correct account) ...it had been...so he looked at Ruth's account...You can look at other people's accounts here in Texas because it's public record.  Ruth pays a couple of hundred on her account...whenever.  Says she's done it this way for over 20 years...well it's now up to over $6,ooo.  I happened to mention that she might want to start picking up on her payments because the amount she owes was growing.  I offered to help her with the money to try to catch her up... (you know, being we are sisters) Okay...no big deal...she nodded her acceptance of my suggestion, said no thanks to my offer... and we moved on to her birthday gift I had brought her... (a planner for 2025...we both love them).  And then after several hours of visiting, I went home.  

Boom!

24 hours later, I get a text from her saying how dare I look at her account and get into her business...(I know...I shouldn't have said a thing) Now get this...She says she never wants to see me again...that I will never inherit anything from her "estate" (what estate) and that I'm to never contact her ever again...I'm suppose to "do" my family and she'll "do" her's...What?

I'm so tired...It's in my nature to run out to her place and try to straighten things out when she gets like this, but she's never let it go this far.  Words mean something and you really need to watch how you use them...Larry says to just let it go...she's always been this way and will never change.  There have been other text that were downright nasty, but I'll just let you know...I think I'm done.  She has always had a mean streak, just like our mother...and doesn't try to curb what comes out of her mouth.  "I want my way, and I want it now" no longer works on me...so...I'll let her have her way...because I'm just numb from dealing with her weird way of looking at life and how to treat people and especially, family that has tried to help her.  It's always someone else's fault.  So be it.  I'm tired of walking on eggshells and trying to remember how not to offend her.  She's been "angry" since we were kids...I'm not going to be able to fix it now.  Next step will be hers...if ever. Am I being too cold about it?

She's watching my other sister Mary (long story) and this is Bryan, her son.  I'll go through her ex-husband and his wife Laura to see him...and will ask Laura to check on sister Mary... (cerebral palsy...and another long and ugly story). Ruth has guardianship of sister Mary so there's little I can do except keep a close check on her.

Oh!  I'll bet you wish now that you had just kept rolling on by! lol

And then...lol

I had made Chicken & dumplings the day before, but we'd had a "problem" with Larry's Dad checking himself out of the rehab center...He is doing so much better from the pneumonia now but at the time, they found he also had a UTI.  Well, he got pissed at the place he was at (private room and bathroom...the nurses weren't doing enough for him) so, feeling SO much better... he checked himself out!  Well, Larry's brother Kenny, fell for Dad's threats...picked him up and took him home...got Dad settled then left.  Hey!  Dad demands he gets his way!  So... he got his way.  Later that night, Dad calls Larry...who at this point, is SO tired...zombie tired at this point....get's up and goes to get Dad and return him to the ER because he's demanding they take his catheter out!  He said he just wants someone to come in (24/7) and take care of him...sigh...I told Larry to stay home and I'd go take care of him but he said absolutely not, he'd deal with Dad.

Needless to say...Once YOU check yourself OUT of a rehabilitation center...ADO... (against doctor's orders), the rehab will NOT take you back...no matter What you do or say...and neither will most others in town!  It's the state ...check your own state's rules...  We were SO fortunate to find a lesser quality one that decided to take a chance on him...thank you Jesus...He just needs to gain his strength back in order to function at home again. Getting up, walking...bathroom.  Well, he knows he messed up big time...he now has a roommate that runs the TV nonstop and likes to chatter.  Dad does not like to chatter and definitely does not want a TV on when trying to sleep...he's a bit miserable...but there may be a miracle on the horizon.  There's a rehab about two miles from us that might take him...Encompass.  Please say a tiny prayer for us!

Maybe you're saying to yourself, "why don't you just bring him to your house..."

There is no way we can take him in... we can't give him the rehab he needs, and we both aren't willing to put up with his crankiness...I'm 73 and Larry is 77.  Gerald is 99 and still doing well (other than this recent bout with pneumonia).

I'm really not against bringing him here if he really needs it and have told him so...but Larry says...just no.

Because these are seed oils... (cause inflammation) try using a natural oil...tallow, lard...etc.

I have been trying to get the snap lid to open on this bottle of cleaner for ages...always ended up unscrewing the lid.  Well, I got the bright idea (not many of those left in me...) to use a bottle opener.  It worked!  The liquid had dried the lid shut...now I can open it.

And lastly, we lost a sweet soul last night.  This is Larry's cousin, Rodger.  He didn't answer his son's phone calls so son called the Sherriff's dept for a welfare check...he was found deceased.

Most of our family are now on the other side so I know he's having a blast meeting up, once again, with his wife, parents and great Granson...Fly high Rodger!  We love you.

So... until next time...count your blessings and I'm sorry to have strained your eyes on all this news...we are just in a rough patch right now...hopefully Dad will realize what wonderful sons he has, and Ruth Ann will remember who's been there for her when everyone else ran when they heard about her colon cancer...until then...