43 Things About Me on my 43rd Birthday

Today is my 43 birthday and I thought it would be fun to tell you 43 things about me that you may not know (and a few that you may know).  So enjoy getting to know me a bit better!

1. I’m a Christian
2. I’m the wife to Marty for nearly 22 years
3. I’m the mom to Colt (18), Daniel (in heaven), Riley (8) and Gabriel (in heaven)
4. I can curl my tongue
5. I can cross my eyes
6. I’m a big ol’ sap and get all teary eyed watching touching TV, commercials and movies or reading touching books
7. I’m REALLY goofy and silly
8. In the 80’s and early 90’s I saw nearly all the major “Hair Bands” in concert.
9. My hair has been every shade of red imaginable.
10. I went to modeling school
11. I once walked into a poll in front of the school because I wasn’t paying attention.  I was staring at my high school crush instead of where I was going.
12. I can come up with a song for nearly any occasion.
13. My brain is stuffed full of useless and strange facts.
14. I had a MAJOR crush on Harrison Ford in elementary school
15. I use to write song lyrics in high school for a local Christian band.
16. My dream car in high school was a Camero.  I finally bought a brand new one after high school and drove it until the engine threw a rod.
17. I love cheesy  B movies
18. I’m idealistic
19. I’m opinionated and stubborn
20. I spent the summer after high school graduation in Costa Rica with cousins who were missionaries there.
21. I broke my wrist falling off a grocery buggy as a kid.
22. I love old movies
23. I think coffee smells wonderful, but TASTES nasty
24. I love the music from “The Little Mermaid”
25. Whenever one of us says “Potatoes”, I always ask “What’s Taters?”
26. I pronounce Exxon as “Eggs on” which prompts my family to ask, “Eggs on what?”
27. I hate heels and refuse to wear them.  In fact, I wore white Ked’s tennis shoe that I decorated with pearls for my wedding.
28. I love reading.
29. I wanted to be Nancy Drew as a kid
30. I love to cook
31. I refuse to watch the movie “The Exorcist” ever again.  It scared me silly as a kid and teen.  A few years back they released it and even the commercials gave me nightmares.
32. I started walking at 9 months old.  My Grandfather taught me.  He wanted me walking before my Dad got home from Thailand where he was stationed during Vietnam.
33. I love Mexican and Chinese food
34. I was in the Texas Girl’s Choir
35. I’m a ham radio operator (KF5OHM)
36. I got pops in school for chewing gum
37. My first date with my husband was on Valentine’s day.  We were married less than 6 months later.
38. I am obsessed with books.
39. “The Quiet Man” is my favorite movie
40. I’m related to Ron Raines who played Alan Spaulding on “Guiding Light”.  He’s my Dad’s first cousin.  If I’ve ever met him, I must have been really young because I don’t remember him.
41. I can speak really fast.
42. I feel faint around snakes and spiders, especially the poisonous ones.
43. I have a strange sense of humor that not every one “gets” or appreciates

Down Dress Sizes!

In January, I got serious with my diet and made some MAJOR changes.  I was bound and determined to lose some of this weight that’s been hanging on for WAY too many years.  So, I simply changed what I was eating. Cut out most grains and sugars and started eating about 75% vegetarian with at least 50% of that raw vegetarian. (basically vegetarian except for 1 meal per day). Have felt better than I have in years.  I’m down from a size 22 to a 16!!  I still have about 40-50 pounds I’d like to lose, but I’m well on my way.  For the first time in a long time, I am under 200!  WOOT!  So here is the big reveal.

Going to be away

I’m going to be away from my blog for a few days, not really sure how long. Today we got 2 pieces of really bad news.  I’m asking for some prayer and I so appreciate your love and  support.

First of all a friend of my husband was declared brain dead.  He had been in the hospital since Sunday with with pneumococcal meningitis.  My husband is very saddened by this piece of news and we expect to be attending a funeral in the next few days.  I ask that you please lift up my husband, as well as his friend’s wife, family and friends.  This has hit everyone really hard and things progressed so suddenly and it was so unexpected.

I also ask for prayers for my 95 year old Nanny.  Hospice is going to start coming in and the doctor says the Alzheimer’s is speeding up very rapidly and he’s seen a major increase of memory loss since last month. He says she will soon be unable to recognize people so if we want to see her while she still recognizes us then everyone should visit sooner rather than later. The doctors say it could be 6 months or it could be several years, they don’t really know. We visited with her last weekend and she was really confused and out of it and her doctor says that soon she will probably go into paranoia.  Earlier this  month she was diagnosed with dysphagia and my parents were told that she needed to drink only “honey” thick liquid.  Liquids thinner than that could end up going into her lungs.  Dysphagia is the result of any condition that weakens or damages the muscles and nerves used for swallowing.  It is suspected that when the dysphagia started that she may have suffered a minor stroke, which could also be the culprit behind her alzheimer’s speeding up..  This was a real hardship for her because she had to give up her beloved Coca-Cola.   She was so unhappy, miserable and depressed by this.  Now with the discovery of the alzheimers speeding up, my Mom decided that it was more important for her to be happy in what could be her last days than to worry about something that “might” happen should the liquid end up in her lungs.  Please keep Nanny in your prayers, as well as my Mom (who is the power of attorney and supervises her care), and all the rest of us who love Nanny.  This is one special woman who is loved by all who know her and I am heart broken at the thought of her going through this.

Susan’s Thursday 12/15/11

I’ve spent the last few days crocheting my fingers to death!  I’m nearly finished with the 2 Etsy hats I need to get out on Friday (yay!!).  I also finished up another ear warmer and scarf set as a Christmas gift.  Nothing much as has been going on around here.  Just the normal stuff.

Today I happened to run into something I hadn’t  watched since 1978… The Star Wars Holiday Special!  LOL!  I remember watching it on TV when I was a kid.  We’re such Star Wars nerds around here, that the boys can’t wait to watch it. I thought I’d share it here…be warned!  This video includes the original commercials that ran when the showired on CBS in 1978…too funny!

Do you have a huge stash of fabric?  I know I do and I know several others who do to!  I just discovered this Facebook group, 2012 Fabric De-Stash Challenge.  I think I’m going to participate this year.  The idea is to get the unloved fabric into a form that some needy person can love it.  I have a huge amount of fabric scraps from sewing projects that I just couldn’t throw away because they were too big.  They are contained in a HUGE RubberMaid tub.  My goal for 2012 is to use up those scraps and make quilts for the children’s hospitals in the area.  So, if you have a stash of fabric you no longer love, please join the group and make items that will help  make someone’s life easier!

Today I hope to finish up the Baby Longhorn hat for an Etsy customer.  I also want to finish up another earwarmer and scarf set.

Finished Objects:

Grey Heather Ear Flap hat with cream flower for Etsy customer

Wool blend Ear Warmer and Scarf set for my niece RG

Work in Progress:

Baby Longhorn Ear Flat hat for Etsy customer

In the Crafting Queue:

Digiscrap:

• Aimee Harrison’s Kitschy Christmas (create 2 layouts)
• Aimee Harrison’s October’s Opal Kit (create 2 layouts)
• Aimee Harrison’s November’s Topaz Kit (create 2 layouts)
• Berry Sweet Scraps’ Winter Berry Kit (post layouts to galleries when released)
• Aimee Harrison’s Home for Christmas kit (post layouts to galleries when released)
• Aimee Harrison’s Kitschy Christmas (post layouts to galleries when released)

Crochet:

• Baby Longhorn Ear Flap Hat – Adult sized – Etsy Order
• Grey Heather Ear Flap Hat with Cream Flower – Adult Sized – Etsy Order
• Camo Earflap  & Tubular Scarf for Gift
• Camo Earflap  & Tubular Scarf for Gift
• Camo Earflap  & Tubular Scarf for Gift
• Camo Earflap for Marty
• Camo Earflap for Colt
• Variegated Ear Warmer & Tubular Scarf for Gift
• Variegated Ear Warmer & Tubular Scarf for Gift
• Variegated Ear Warmer & Tubular Scarf for Gift

Quilting:

• Farmhouse Charm Square quilt (probably won’t start until after first of the year).

Susan’s Tuesday 12/13/11

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  We sure did!  Friday we ran errands and did a little Christmas shopping.   Marty bought me this little tubular knitting machine at Walmart for $20.

At first, it didn’t work really well, the gears kept slipping and making an awful racket.  Well Marty lubed it up for me and now it works like a dream.  We’ve been whipping out tubular knitted scarves like crazy!  You can see some of the scarves we made below 🙂

Riley also got his picture with Santa while we were out…

Saturday I was finally feeling back to normal (yea!!) and we went to the Ham Radio club Christmas party.  Had a nice time visiting with everyone and exchanging gifts.  Marty got a nice drill bit set and I got the prettiest birdhouse.

Sunday, we just sat around the house and vegged.   The day was nice and relaxing.  The only bad thing that happened was that Marty started coming down with the same cold that I had.   The boys put up our Christmas tree and decorated it themselves.  Later, I discovered an “extra” decoration in the tree… our cat Patch!

So we had a really nice weekend.  Monday was Riley’s 8th birthday and we celebrated it by taking him to Sonic for a Snicker’s Blast and cupcakes after dinner.  He already received his Birthday/big Christmas gift.  He got an Android tablet.

We’ll be meeting my parents this weekend to celebrate his Birthday with a family gathering.  Also yesterday, I finished up an adult sized Football hat for an Etsy customer and got 5 orders mailed out.  I have 2 orders to finish up this week, a Baby Longhorn hat and a custom Grey Heather Ear Flap with a cream flower for customers.

Today, I’ll be working on the Baby Longhorn hat and one some Christmas gifts.  My Etsy store is now closed for Christmas orders.  Orders received from today forward cannot be guaranteed delivery before Christmas. Shop will be closed for Custom Orders from 12/12/11 until 01/08/12, custom orders placed during this time period will not be made or shipped until after 01/08/12.

Well, I need to get off the computer and get busy!  Tons to do today!

Finished Objects:

Adult Sized Football hat (forgot to take a picture!)

Tubular Knit Camo scarf for my Ninja husband 🙂

Wool blend tubular knit scarf Marty made for me 🙂

Wool blend tubular scarf and crocheted ear warmer for my niece, AG

Wool blend tubular scarf and crocheted ear warmer for my niece, EG

Tubular knit scarf and ear warmer for a Christmas gift

Tubular knit scarf for Etsy shop

Tubular knit scarf for Etsy shop

Tubular knit scarf for Etsy shop

Wool Blend Tubular knit scarf for Etsy shop

Work in Progress:

none yet, but will be starting a Baby Longhorn hat today.

In the Crafting Queue:

Digiscrap:

• Aimee Harrison’s Kitschy Christmas (create 2 layouts)
• Aimee Harrison’s October’s Opal Kit (create 2 layouts)
• Aimee Harrison’s November’s Topaz Kit (create 2 layouts)
• Berry Sweet Scraps’ Winter Berry Kit (post layouts to galleries when released)
• Aimee Harrison’s Home for Christmas kit (post layouts to galleries when released)

Crochet:

• Baby Longhorn Ear Flap Hat – Adult sized – Etsy Order
• Grey Heather Ear Flap Hat with Cream Flower – Adult Sized – Etsy Order
• Camo Earflap  & Tubular Scarf for Gift
• Camo Earflap  & Tubular Scarf for Gift
• Camo Earflap  & Tubular Scarf for Gift
• Camo Earflap for Marty
• Camo Earflap for Colt
• Variegated Ear Warmer & Tubular Scarf for Gift
• Variegated Ear Warmer & Tubular Scarf for Gift
• Variegated Ear Warmer & Tubular Scarf for Gift

Quilting:

• Farmhouse Charm Square quilt (probably won’t start until after first of the year).

 

Susan’s Friday 12/09/11

I’m feeling a little better today, but the sinus pressure is a bit worse and a headache is still plaguing me.  Today is my errand running day, so I haven’t really got much in the way of crafting done.  I started the baby longhorn hat last night, but ran out of burnt orange yarn before I could finish it.  I’ll get some more at the store later today and hope to have it finished by tonight so I can mail it tomorrow.  I found some buttons for the Camo Newsboy hat, so it’s all ready to go.  I have 4 hats I need to ship this weekend.  Plus, I got an order for a Football Earflap Hat that I need to get made up and sent out sometime next week.  I also need to work on 10 hats (5 camo & 5 miscellaneous variegated) and a Ear Warmer as Christmas gifts.  I went to start working on the Ear Warmer last night and discovered I didn’t have an I hook.  I’ll have to get one of those today while I’m out.  Between orders and Christmas gifts I’m going to be crocheting my little fingers to the bone.

Today, Aimee Harrison is releasing this beautiful digital scrapbooking kit called Twinkle Twinkle!

I created 2 layouts using this beautiful kit, I posted them on my blog just a bit ago.  One is called Betwixt Heaven and Earth and one is called Winter Wonderland.  This kit is just perfect for wintery layouts featuring snow and I think it would also be perfect for a winter wedding album.  I just love Aimee’s beautiful designs!

It’s highly doubtful that I’ll get any other layouts done today.  I need to focus on my crochet over the weekend and get as much done as I possibly can.  I’m hoping to get everything finished up by next weekend (LOL!!  Like that will really happen!  Wishful thinking on my part, I’m sure!).

Finished Object:

Camo Newsboy Hat - 0-6 month Sized

Work In Progress:

Baby Longhorn Earflap Hat - Adult Sized

In the Crafting Queue:

Digiscrap:

• Aimee Harrison’s October’s Opal Kit (create 2 layouts)
• Aimee Harrison’s November’s Topaz Kit (create 2 layouts)
• Berry Sweet Scraps’ Winter Berry Kit (post layouts to galleries when released)
• Aimee Harrison’s Home for Christmas kit (post layouts to galleries when released)

Crochet:

• Football Ear Flap Hat (for Etsy Customer)
• Ear Warmer (for Christmas gift)
• 5 Camo Earflap Hats (for Christmas gifts)
• 5 variegated Earflap Hats (for Christmas gifts)

Quilting:

• Farmhouse Charm Square quilt (probably won’t start until after first of the year).

Susan’s Thursday 12/08/11

Oh how I wish this head cold would go away!  Massive headache and my ribs are aching from all the coughing.  If I could stay in bed all day, I would.  But instead, I’m up and moving forward with my day.  Spend the morning getting my husband’s work clothes washed and hung out on the line.  Thankfully, my oldest son hung them for me…it’s cold out there and I probably don’t need to be out in this weather with my cold.

On the scrapbooking front, I finished up 2 layouts for Aimee Harrison‘s CT.  It’s her new kit that will be released on 12/19/11 at theStudio.  It’s a GORGEOUS Christmas kit called Home for Christmas.  Aimee did an outstanding job on this one!  I also spent the morning uploading my 2 layouts using Aimee’s September’s Sapphire kit and my 2 layouts using Milly Dee’s Christmas kit to the galleries.

Check out the gorgeousness that is September’s Sapphire!

Aimee Harrison's "September's Sapphire

On the crochet front, I’m most of the way finished with the Camo Newsboy hat I was working on.  Just need to sew the strap on with the buttons.  BUT, I need to get some buttons first, I’ll get them tomorrow and then finish up the hat and mail it on it’s way to it’s new owner.  This afternoon, I’m working on an adult size of my Baby Longhorn hat for a customer who order a custom made one at the craft show last weekend.  I should have it most of the way finished today and will get it finished up and in the mail Friday or Saturday.

Right now, I’m taking a break, eating lunch with my boys (grilled cheese and tomato soup) and watching an episode of How It’s Made.  After lunch, I’ll get busy crocheting and be back to watching episodes of the X-Files on Netflix.  I had forgotten how quirky and funny some of these episodes are 🙂

This evening I hope to work some more on organizing this blog.  I just figure to do a little every evening while watching episodes of Burn Notice on Netflix with my husband.  He really enjoys that show.  Next week after I get to feeling better, I’ll be back homeschooling with Riley.  This week we’re taking it easy, but I’m having him read to me everyday and so some “fun” homeschooling stuff.  If I don’t get to feeling better in a bit, I may also take a little nap…I just feel terrible, like my head is stuffed full of cotton.

Susan’s Daily Journal

Today, I’ve been busy working on a variety of projects.  I finished up 4 digital scrapbooking layouts.  I created 2 for Aimee Harrison‘s CT, using her September Sapphire kit and 2 using a one kit call for Milly Dee for her Christmas Kit.  I’ll be posting all 4 to the blog later today.  I also started work on a crocheted Camo Newsboy hat for an Etsy customer.  I hope to get if finished and off in the mail on Friday.

I haven’t been feeling all that well this week.  I came home from my Mom’s house with a bit of a cold/sinus problem.  Had a sore throat, stuffy/runny nose and cough.  I feel a bit better today though.  This morning I had to run some errands.  Went to the post office to pick up a couple of packages.  Riley got a birthday gift in the  mail from his Pa-Paw and Suz.  I got a package from Connecting Threads containing the charm squares for my next quilting project.  I won’t be getting to it until after the first of the year because I already have a ton on my plate that I need to get finished up for Christmas gifts.

After  lunch we baked a batch of Peppermint Sugar Cookies which the kids demolished in record time.  While not from scratch (they were Pillsbury ready to bake), they were actually pretty good.  I am also working or re-organizing this blog.  It needs a lot more work, but I’m on my way to getting it organized.  Well, I’m off to work some more on my hat and watch a few episodes of The X-Files on Netflix as I work.  I’m working my way through the entire series…lol!

{ I’ve Got Pictures! }

My computer still isn’t fixed, so I just put the pictures on disk so I could upload them to the blog.

This is a picture of Riley sleeping on his mattress

A bowl full of tomatoes from our garden

One of our yellow tomatoes

Yellow tomato cut open

Cherry & grape tomatoes…Riley’s favorites!

5 gallons tomatoes, 1 gallon jalepenos, almost a gallon of both hot banana peppers & bell peppers.

Riley in his playhouse

Today, I’m just going to be puttering around the house and take it a little easy. I’m so exhausted!

{ Sorry, No Pictures }

Marty ended up working on his truck last night and never got around to fixing my computer. That’s okay, the truck is way more important! I’m more than ready to get my Suburban back during the day and his little truck gets much better gas milage anyway!

Today’s schedule includes washing clothes (surprise!) and working on the house. It’s been so nice the last couple of days…the temps have been much cooler so outside work has at least been pleasant. I’m not looking forward to my drive to the doctor in Fort Worth on Thursday, but I guess I’ve got to do it 🙂

I’m ready for Colt to come home from Grandma’s! It’s just too quiet here without him. We’re going to go get him either Saturday or Sunday. I really miss him! He’s such a big help to me with Riley as well as around the house.

Well, I’m off to start my day, I’ll hopefully get some pictures up tonight or tomorrow!