They made it.....Praise God!

I talked to Ron at about 10:00 their time last night and it was so great. They had arrived at Lansing, Kansas at about 8:00. I am so relieved. They were having problems with one of Brian's cars and I was really afraid they would have to do something else. Like get the car fixed or buy a new car, or rent a u-haul and tow his car. Anyway, they made it and Praise God. The weather held and all is well.

They picked the keys to the new house and Ron says it is a Mansion!! I know it will be wonderful for the kids in the long run, but they are upset now. Missing friends and worried about a new school. I know it is hard, but they will work it out and be OK. Plus, Brian won't be gone anymore, so that will help a lot.

I got a lot done yesterday, so I am loafing today. I know I have to get some of my knitting and spinning done so I can go back to classes next week with a clean slate! Ha ha. I will go back to classes anyway, but I do want to get some of these UFO'S done so I can move on. I want to make some hats for Barb and the kids. They will need them now. Ron said there was 4-6 inches of snow on the ground. Brrrrr I'm cold just thinking about it. The high today is suppose to be 39. I don't believe that is a high. Sounds more like a low to me. I know we are spoiled here, but it's all what you get used to.

I finished spinning my royal blue wool, and will ply it tonight. I am finishing up a bag I knitted and still need to felt it. I have yarn all wound to make me a sweater (for Christmas). I guess it will do for next year. I hope to get some of this done today!!! Better get busy.

Spin on.............................Sheena

New Year.......2008 can you believe it?

Well, it is now 2008. Where did the year go? I can't believe how fast that one went. Seems like only yesterday I was trying to remember to write 2007 on my checks. I'll never get it right.

I am making black eyed peas and ham for New Years dinner. I think I will make some cornbread too. My In laws really like cornbread. Ron is gone for about 10 days to two weeks. He is driving cross country (half way any way) to Kansas with Brian. Brian's back was so bad when he got back that he could hardly walk. So Ron is driving one of his cars, Barbara is driving the other one and Brian is reclining in the passenger seat. He is still miserable.

They have been having car trouble with one of the cars. The one Ron is driving. The Explorer is having transmission trouble. They are crippling along, so I hope today goes well. The problem is Brian has a time limit. He has to report in on Friday. His Classes start on Tuesday of the following week. They also need to get there to sign Escrow Papers for their new house. Oh well, once they get there all will be well.

When I talked to Ron today he was freezing. It was 20 degrees and the wind was blowing. Suppose to warm up to 60 today where they will be driving. I thought 60 was a low, not a high. It is about 73 here although the Santa Ana winds are blowing and they are kind of cool. I didn't even need to build a fire this morning. Ron was so worried about me being without fire wood because his saw wouldn't work. He ordered some from some guy and they delivered it yesterday. I'm all set, and he is freezing!

I have been cooking all day. I made some egg salad for lunch, and of course the black eyed peas. I also made some vegetable soup. I plan to start back to ww next week. I think I have to stay on some kind of eating program or I just gain weight.

I am working on a felted bag I started in Alabama. It is Noro yarn and knitted in mitered squares. I love it. I am working on the handle right now and then I will felt it. I can't wait to finish it. I was going to give it for a Christmas present, but that didn't happen. Maybe someones birthday. I will work on some royal blue roving tonight. I started in class before Christmas, and worked on it some at Loraine's last Friday night.

With Ron gone I am doing all the animals and really enjoying it. I use to feed all the animals until he retired and then he took over. I kind of miss it, but I can go out there any time and visit the animals. So we are getting reacquainted.

Spin on........................Sheena

Christmas eve and all is well!!

It's Christmas Eve and all is well. All the cookies and candy are made and all the presents are wrapped. We are waiting for the Charger game to start and then we will eat Chicken Wings and lots of goodies.

We are also going to the Christmas Eve service at our church. It is at 6:00 and is a candle lighting ceremony. Very pretty and a great way to start the festivities. Tomorrow will be equally wonderful.

We are having a dinner for the whole family and lots of fun. This is the last hurrah before Brian moves to Kansas . We will all miss his entire family. I will especially miss the kids, because I'm all about the kiddos.

Merry Christmas and
Spin on...................................Sheena

A Sugar Storm in the Kitchen

Wow, first thing this morning (6:00am) I was making Rice Crispy Squares. Ron ask for them which surprised me. I didn't even know he liked them. I made some not too long ago and they were a disaster. This time they worked out perfect. I made two batches and sprinkled red and green sugar on them. They are really pretty. Very easy too.

Next I made some fudge. No nuts, for Ginger and Ron. I still need to make some for my Mom with nuts. I like the one with nuts too, but if I make it for me, I will eat it all, this way I can share with my Mom and eat half as much. Last year nothing I made turned out right, so this year I am making it early in the morning without "help". I seem to do much better that way.

I am knitting on a pair of socks I started a long, long time ago. I was trying to learn to knit with two circular needles. I got about three inches done and really don't like this technique. Maybe someday I will try it again, but for now I am back to double pointed needles. Did I mention that there were two being knit at the same time. Yeah, I give! I think it is a great idea, but I don't have the skill yet to do that.

We had our last spinning class on Wednesday and I have been looking forward to the break. We brought things in that we no longer wanted, roving, yarn, unfinished projects or what ever, as long as it was fiber related. I took in some roving I didn't think I would want (it was so hard to part with anything cause I love all my stuff) and I am proudest of the fact that I didn't bring any thing new home.

I have my fudge done and tonight I will be making some English Toffee. My personal favorite. It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas around here.

Most of my spinning is waiting to be turned into something. I really need to get busy knitting. I made two hats last night on the knitting machine and will try to do some more tonight after dinner.

Spin on...............................Sheena

Christmas party for spinners

Well, last night was the Christmas party for the spinning group that I go to. It is at Lorraine Powell's house. She is the local Shepherdess and has a flock of about 60 and also has goats (angora) and meat goats. There are several ladies who meet every other Friday night and the third Thursday for the day time group. We bring our wheels and some people bring knitting and sit around and visit and either spin or knit. There are plenty of people to help if you are just learning and it is really great fun. I never want to have it end.

Last night was no exception. There were a couple of ladies I never see anymore who came last night. It was so good to see them. A couple of them were affected by the fire and still trying to get back to normal. I really feel for them, we are so blessed. All together there were about 8 of us, that pretty well fills up the room. Lots of talking and hot apple cider and everyone brought something to share to snack on.

I got a brush to put on my drum carder. It is one of my Christmas Presents. I can't wait to get busy with that stuff after Christmas. I am going to blend some wool mixing colors and fibers. Great fun for this spinning girl.

Spin on..............Sheena

Getting Ready for Christmas, making goodies

Well, I have finished the last slipper sock for my grand kids for Christmas. I have a couple of other things I am working on, but have plenty of time left to finish. Now I have to start baking. Well maybe I don't have to, but I want to. In fact it is my favorite part.

I have been spinning a lot lately too. I am finishing up a bunch of 4 oz bumps I have in different colors that I have bought over the last year. It is so fun to see what they become. Even if I don't like the roving, I seem to always like the yarn. In fact I usually love it. I hope to use some of it in some felted bags I plan on making. I have lots of ideas and am ready to get started. I have about 5 or 6 pounds of my Lincoln wool spun up. Can't wait to see how that turns out. I could make a sweater, but probably won't. I also want to over dye some of it. Blue of course.

I have all my Christmas decorations out, and the house looks festive and wonderful. I love Christmas and all the colors and lights. This is the first year my husband has really got involved. I don't know if it is because he finally has time, or because he just feels better this year. Anyway, it has been great fun and I don't care why.

I really miss all the kids, but am getting better at being away from them. I am looking forward to them coming in the spring. Oh!!! my chickens are laying eggs. I can't believe it. They usually don't start laying until the following spring, but they are laying now. I started with one a day, and am now up to 4 a day. What fun!!! The kids will be so happy when they get here. I can't wait. I have been making Ron Egg Mcmuffin for breakfast. He loves that.

It is really cold the last couple of days, especially at night. I guess it is suppose to be, after all it is winter. I'm glad I don't have snow. I would freeze.

Spin on...................Sheena

Rain Rain we finally have Rain!!!

It started raining on Thursday night late. Really I guess it was Friday night. It rained all day and into the night on Friday. I usually don't like the rain, but this time I kind of enjoyed it. My husband stayed in for a change and we decorated the house for Christmas. This is the first time in a long time that he actually took part. He seems to be enjoying it. We unpacked everything, something we haven't done in a long time also. I am going through all the old stuff and getting rid of the broken things and warp things (there are a lot of warp things). Some things just don't do well in the heat. I had a lot of funny looking candles. Won't pack those away again.

We went shopping last week and bought a new little artificial tree. It has lights on it already and set up in 2 minutes. I love it! It is perfect for us and I have completely covered in all of my favorite ornaments. You can hardly see the tree. There is some green peeking out here and there. I always enjoy going through all of my ornaments. A lot of them my kids made over the years or they have a special meaning because of what was going on in my life at the time.

So today, I have spent the morning doing just that, going through and hanging up the best of the best and remembering all the wonderful Christmases we have had. I still miss those kids, but of course I love the people they have become. The Grand kids have totally taken up the slack. We have had all of them living here at one time, but now half of them are in Alabama.
I miss those very much, but am thankful for the ones who are still here. (the other half). Soon three more are going to move away, so I will only have two here. I do know I am very fortunate to have been such a big part of their lives. I will enjoy the ones that are here, and go on missing the ones who have moved away. Life goes on.

I have been knitting slipper socks for all the grand kids like crazy. Almost done. I need to mail the first 5 this week. I have also been spinning a lot to make yarn for some felted bags that I want to make. I really need to get to making those or they won't get done in time. I will do most of the knitting on the knitting machine. That way I can get at least a few done in time. If I want to hand knit them, I better get busy now for next year!! Ha ha.

Well, I best get knitting and spinning.
Spin on..........................................................Sheena