The Escape saga continues.....

This is so crazy it's funny. I have never in my life had as much trouble getting a
car as I have this one.

They tell me it's a) we are buying an 09 at the end of the model year; inventory is down

and

b) people don't have any scruples

If you remember, we were waiting on the Michigan car and the dealer up there sold it after he made an agreement with our dealer to hold it. They tracked down another one in Hanover, Pa. That dealer said OK and while our dealer was calling us to verify we wanted it (it had some different options) Hanover decided he wouldn't let it off the lot.

Finally, they tracked one down in Ashland, Virginia. It turned out that Rick and I rode down to Virginia with a manager from our dealer, picked up the car and drove it back to Morgantown OURSELVES. I know for a fact that it is sitting in the car lot getting detailed today and a W. Va. sticker put on and that I will be picking it up tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., and I absolutely love the vehicle!! This was a 10 hour trip (5 down and 5 back arriving at 1 a.m. today) for us, but it was a beautiful day to travel. Rick and I just added it to our list of adventures. Rick said, "You just never know where we're going to pop up!" I agreed and said we were "whack-a-moles".

I guess I could be furious.......but because we were having so much trouble with this thing, our dealer kept finding option upgrades that weren't going to cost us anything, so my Escape is pretty primo!! I didn't even drive on the way back, I let Rick enjoy.....and he is picky about how a vehicle rides because he has to travel so much. He likes it a lot too. My mind was just mush after all of this.....I couldn't have driven to the back door! And the last 150 miles was waaaaaaaay past my bedtime so I was....... let's just say, a little cranky? Don't ask Rick, though, because he had another name for it.....but it rhymed with "stitch". :-O

It seems like there is always some sort of drama going on around here.....we are taken off guard for a little while, then buckle down to withstand the pressure and usually find a way to have some laughs with it. One would drown in the morass if there weren't laughter.

We are getting to play with Libby and Joe this afternoon so I am excited.

BTW.....went up to make the hodgepodge quilt sandwich so I could take it on my trip......I didn't have enough backing fabric and had to order more this morning. Hear me laughing!!!!!

Looks like Letha's Electric Fan is going to get a bunch done on it and my poor brother is going to have to wait some more....but of course after 40 years, it really doesn't make much difference, I guess. (For those unfamiliar.....my mom made these blocks for Jim 40+ years ago and never did anything with them. After she died I decided I would finish his quilt for him. I joined them with sashing and thought I was getting on a roll....at least for me, anyway.....but that's the story)

Blessings,
Becky

Hurry up and wait.....

Good morning, all.

All I can say is Grrrrrrrr. We were told to expect the vehicle yesterday, the driver was going to pick it up in Michigan on Wednesday. Rick called to see when we needed to be there and they told him......"Oh, the driver called in sick on Wednesday. We'll try to get it on Friday and maybe have it for you on Saturday." Call me childish, but I get excited about these things!! I was ready to roll.....besides, if you were a manager and you knew something you promised to your customer wasn't going to happen, wouldn't you give them a quick call to let them know????
Oh well.......let it slide and be happy!! Or as Aubree would say, "Be patient". (Hope she learns better than MeMe)

Today is laundry day and reorganize my travel stuff. When I go for a weekend, I take certain things....week, take additional/different things. I try to keep toiletries organized in zip-lock bags and keep them in a drawer in my dresser and just take out the bags I need. While I was in my deep, dark hole over the winter, the bags are strewn in all sorts of places, in various travel bags, and is just a mess. Now I know I am a self professed clutter queen, but even clutter queens reach their last nerve, and mine is yelping today. So, since we plan to be gone several days I am taking the time to get this all sorted out.

I'm taking my camera and maybe we can share some spots on the way and see what all we can find. I know we will be in the Fingerlakes area of New York, which I love. We're also going to the Adirondacks a few days then back to Niagara Falls next weekend. I want to ride the Maid of the Mist again....this time with Rick. This is one of the most awesome things I have done. I really had a "God moment" there. Those of you who have enjoyed this know what I mean, but unfortunately for those who haven't done it, I just am too inept to adequately describe the majesty and power of that water!!!! Put it on your list of must-dos.


Being this close to the falls is simply indescribable.





So......dryer is buzzing.....time to hit the trail again.
Blessings, Becky

The best laid plans.......

You all know how it goes. Just when you think you have your day planned.....life kicks you in the butt.

I was chomping at the bit to get started quilting on my hodgepodge quilt and planned to do the sandwich last evening. Well, I get a call from Chris and he told me Nan's grandmother is in the hospital with heart trouble and will have a catheterization this a.m. He was wondering if I could keep the girls overnight and today (Wed) instead of Thursday. Well, of course I could, and we did, but there goes the quilt sandwich making. But, I can do that Thursday. I really want that ready before we leave Monday.

We head out to the quaint village of Seneca Falls, NY. Rick's company has a plant there and he has been working with them on various projects for a few years and I love traveling with him. We drive to all sorts of interesting and unique destinations in the evenings. While he works at the plant in the day, I quilt, knit,sleep, watch dvds, sleep, read books, sleep.......see how it goes???

So last night we had a double feature of Cinderella and Tinkerbell. We are all primed for Sesame Street this morning, then we're going outside and draw on the patio with sidewalk chalk. There is always time for quilting later, but to play with Aubree and Mia when they are little and so entertaining is a diminishing opportunity.....they are growing up waaaaaaay too fast!

Blessings,
Becky

Ta Da!!!!!!!

It is done. I had to do the last 2 feet of binding at the party, but no biggie. I would have gotten it done for sure, but Rick and I spent all morning yesterday car shopping. I'm going to trade in my Legacy for a Ford Escape. I am a truck/suv girl. I had an F150 about 3 years ago and when Rick sold the boat, we traded the truck because we really didn't need it. Well, I miss it!!!! So they had the best deals going over the weekend, so hopefully I'll pick it up Tuesday.

The party for Joe was great. Cole made a monkey cake and had banana cupcakes for the kiddies. Really cute. Yellow and green streamers.

Here's a pic of the finished quilt with some backing showing. It actually looks pretty much like I had envisioned it. That's rare for me!

Cole and Rick are holding it up for me. (click to enlarge)









Here is Libby in her pink princess pants. She and Aubree played under the pool table like
it was their private cave! :)










OK, I'm going to go take a nap!
Blessings,
Becky

Stitching along.....

Just a note to let you know I am about 6" x 12" from being halfway done with the hand quilting for Joe's quilt. I am pleased with the progress and if I keep at it (my wrists needed a break now) I don't see why I can't finish it before Sunday. Y'all keep the prayers goin'.

I got to see Libby and Joe last evening. So precious. They were taking their afternoon naps when I got there. Joe woke up first so we played awhile, then I heard Libby. I went up to get her and when she saw me she said, "MeMe! See my pink princess pants?!" She is so proud of them. She can walk around in them holding onto furniture or someone's hand. Sometime she just lays on the floor and sticks one leg straight up in the air and keeps it there! What a hoot she is.

OK.....union break is over, back to the grind. Stitch, stitch, stitch.....

Blessings,
Becky

Racing the clock

I'm up against it. Am I surprised? Nooooooo...... this is usual for me. After a YEAR, I have told myself to get Joe's Bug Jar quilt finished for his birthday party......ON SUNDAY! I am hand quilting it, and have about a fourth done. The quilting is easy.....loops and swooshes....to look like a bug flying around......but I can't stop life from taking away from quilting time!! I really do think I can get it done, even though I am taking time out for a playdate with my friend, Pam.
Then this afternoon and evening Rick and I are going over to watch Libby & Joe while Cole gets an evening off. Corey will be working the 7pm to 7am shift at the ICU. I'll be a stitching fool over there as well during nap time and then when Pappy gets there, both kids cluster around him and I'm chopped liver. Which at this point in time is a good thing.....I can quilt.

I love my playdates with my peeps. Today I am looking forward to eating at Ruby Tuesdays...have y'all had their raspberry ice tea yet?!!!!! I love that stuff. If you aren't familiar with it.....they crush the raspberries up in it. Delicious. Maybe I'll just order a ton of ice teas and forego the food! NOT.

I'm getting off here now.....I can stitch a little while before I have to take my shower and scoot.

Have a great day....
Becky

A Flying Whoa....

I'm am such a clutter queen, but there comes a time when the piles of stuff just bring sewing to a flying whoa. I'm pretty much done with the sewing space, now down to the cutting and fabric storage space. UGH. If you don't hear from me in 24 hours, send in a search party (armed with shovels).

I have been so busy that I haven't been able to quilt much......and now that I can find time to get to the machine for awhile......I can't get to the machine!!!!

Hopefully I can get back in the swing of things again soon, and life will return to normal (if there is such a thing).

BTW, as always when cleaning up piles.......I have found some neat treasures that I had forgotten about! Now I can put them "somewhere I can find them" and not see them again for another year.

Odds and ends.....

I've had a very busy 2 weeks and virtually haven't had time to even look at the sewing machine or fabric or anything quilty. I am chomping at the bit to get things back to normal (what exactly is that, anyway) and get some stitching done.

By way of getting everyone up to speed, Little Libby had her surgery and is doing remarkably well. She is allowed to stand for a little while, but after her 1st recheck on Wednesday, she'll probably be going like crazy. Here's a pic I borrowed from her mommy's blog....

Her parents told her that her casts were "special pink princess pants" that were going to help her walk better. I thought that was a good idea! She is really proud of her princess pants and keeps showing them to us. What a kid.

Last weekend, Rick and I went camping at Summersville Lake with my sister and brother-in-law. Aubree and Mia joined us and we all had a blast. Here's a couple of pics....




Aubree just waiting to be big enough to sleep on the top bunk










Mia just being her usual sweet self. She's content to read a book to herself. She was her Pappy's shadow all weekend.





It was a wonderful time and gave Chris and Nan a break. Nancy had to work, but they went out to dinner a couple of nights and they enjoyed that.

I got out the backing fabrics for the three quilts that are ready and this afternoon I am going to start sewing them together. I am determined to get out of this slump and start doing what I enjoy most.....stitching!! I picked out the fabric for the first Birthday Block swap and have that on Monday's schedule! :) We'll see how scheduling works out for me. (I don't hold out much hope, but am thinking positively.

Oh yeah, during this time Uncle Bill had a heart attack (he's ok and back at the nursing home), Rick & I had the stomach flu, and various and sundry other little surprises we had to deal with. Ahhhhh, the joys of life.

Blessings,
Becky

Libby Update...

She is out of surgery and awake, but extremely groggy of course. The doctor said her left leg is essentially straight and her right leg will need to play some catch-up, but with therapy it should be all right as well. If all goes well, she will get to go home tomorrow. Thanks for all the prayers! She has hot pink casts. :)

Prayers for Libby....

Our little Libby is having surgery on her knees tomorrow and I would ask that you keep her and her medical team in your prayers.

I'm also posting a note I wrote about Libby ....

For those of you that might not be familiar with the story of our granddaughter, Libby, I thought I would share so you would know a little about what you are praying for.

Very early in the pregnancy, Corey and Cole found out that there was problems. There was low (very low) amniotic fluid. Throughout the terrifying ordeal, the doctors related how the baby would miscarry, how if it was born it would die immediately because it would have no lungs and no kidneys. Seven times throughout the pregnancy, the doctors suggested (strongly) that they consider aborting. Corey and Cole stood on their faith that God was in control and whatever happened, happened. They would trust in the Lord.

Eleven weeks short of her due date, Cole developed pre-eclampsia and a C-Section was the course the doctors recommended. The evening and night before lasted an eternity and it was with great trepidation that we all gathered at WVUH the morning of her birth.

We had no clue whether it was a boy or a girl, there wasn't enough fluid for the sonographer to get a read. So they headed into the OR. For those of us in the waiting room, there was nervous chatter, the stress was palpable. In what seemed like way to little time, Corey appeared and announced we had an Elizabeth Grace, 2 lbs.2 oz, and was born crying!
What little amniotic fluid there was formed a bubble over her mouth so all internal organs were fully developed. Hallelujah!!!! Her feet were clubbed, she has some spinal curvature from being jammed and that is small potatoes to us.

She is the sweetest, funniest little girl you would ever want to meet. She has lived 6 weeks in the NICU, endured having her feet taped, had a hernia fixed, gone through physical therapy for all of her three years, used a stander and splints to try to stretch out her legs, been poked, prodded, stuck and she just takes it all in stride. It's harder on her parents and grandparents than it is on her. She is sharp as a tack, hilarious, talks your head off, and is happy pretty much all of the time. She is feisty, which they tell us is a result of fighting for life. We'll take it.

This surgery will release her knees that are bent. She has come a long way and improved to the point that she can walk but it's kinda lumbering and very cumbersome for her....but she does it. She can "knee-walk" almost as fast as I can walk, but that is not what we want for her. We want her to run and walk without limitations. After the doctor cuts whatever is necessary she will be in casts/splints to finish stretching the PCL. As ever, we are not being given a guarantee of success, but this is the best option to pursue and we owe it to Libby to make that attempt.

We have learned through Libby what it means that God is in control. We may not always understand or like the outcome, but He is in control....and has our best interests in mind.
We have enjoyed the last 3 years with Libby so much, considering we weren't expecting a day. We look forward to watching her continue to grow and develop into a beautiful young woman, who has definitely been kissed by God.

We love you, our little Libby!

Here are some pics of her progress.

2 lbs, 2 oz. They told us to figure two soda cans end to end to get an idea of her size.

Finally home with her Daddy after living 6 weeks in NICU

Smiling Libby

All dressed up for her Aunt Kerri's wedding

Cole, Libby and Corey all spiffed up!

Easter 2008.....looking like Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street

Elizabeth Grace Bozic, our miracle.