First Cuppa

That first cuppa'..... whether it's tea like I am having this morning or coffee is always the best cup of the day. Especially when drank from a thrifty find. We have 3 of these red cups that we found at Goodwill for 25 cents. And before anyone jumps on me about supporting Goodwill because they use their money in ways they don't agree with... we go for the bargains FOR US. We do also shop at other thrift stores like Miracle Hill, Salvation Army, etc... But our main goal is to save OUR money and keep things from heading to the dump. Now  that may sound confrontational and it wasn't meant to I just don't want to hear it AGAIN. ok?

I have fed all the cats; our 3 and the Mother cat (Prissy) and her remaining 2 kittens. She had 3 when she showed up here but we fear one was taken by the owls that live in the woods. Prissy is getting to where I can pet her but the kittens are still skittish.

"Prissy"

Prissy with Spot and Groucho

 They all have a new home if I can get them tamed. Our 3 cats are NOT happy and have each taken steps to upset us by going off and not coming back ALL DAY or gone for 3 days. Howie pulled an "all dayer" yesterday and had Scott so worried as Howie is "his" cat. But all 3 were here for breakfast this morning and Callie and Tippy have gone into the woods to do their morning constitutionals. Howie took some time to clean up on the porch after his "second" breakfast. He was so hungry when he got home last night.

Yesterday I didn't post as I had an early appointment with our new Nurse Practitioner for labs and a foot check. And I told her my numbness and tingling has gotten worse in my right arm so they also took x-rays of my neck to see if they could see whats going on in there. If they see that it is Arthritis I will be put on an arthritis medication like Scott is on but if it shows nothing I will have to have a nerve conductivity test. Neither sounds good to me as I don't want to be on ANOTHER medication and I have heard that test is quite painful. I guess I will just wait and see. The x-ray technician said that they would have the results about the x-rays this morning so perhaps they will call sometime after 8 this morning.

I am having a horrible time getting used to Scott's second shift schedule. I just don't know when to cook anymore so I end up cooking breakfast and dinner at the same time so that Scott will have a meal to take to work and I will have a meal for later in the day as well. We end up eating breakfast 10 AM or after as he sleeps until then since he can't wind down after he gets in at 11:30PM each night so it's 2AM or after before he goes to bed. I'm still getting up at about 6 AM so I am getting a lot less sleep as I don't go to bed until he is home. SO it is midnight or after before I go to sleep myself. It sure is a lot harder schedule on us than it was when we were in our 20's.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday.

Discovery or RE- discovery

I just made a discovery or perhaps more a re-discovery in the importance of keeping this searchable blog. I utilized the search bar below my header to search for "round robin(s)" to find out about the previous round robins I had participated in to share with my current quilting group on Facebook. I could help remind the others of ones they sent out and got returned in the past. It was a real joy to find that info so easily because of this blog. SO... I am going to get back to daily blogging... I have to as so much will be lost if I don't.

Today Scott and I went to Spartanburg to visit Mom and Dad and family as I had empty egg cartons piling up and some thrifty finds for the kids. We had a nice visit and Abby loved the pink ski jacket we picked up at Goodwill for $3.25 and Maddie loved her butterfly purse. We found we need to keep an eye out for books on birds, rocks and gardening for  the boys. And more simple old fashioned non-electronic toys for all the littler kids.

ART & CRAFTS anyone?

This is an IC  (Index Card)  I created for a lady on You Tube - Debbie Vignola. She was having a challenge and wanted a creative way to save everyone's addresses and You Tube Channel names. I just loved the quote - " There are so many beautiful reasons to be happy"

I colored along with Barb Owens friday before last this face using one of her face stamps that I bought from her and then added hair and "outfit" so she is ready for a card front. I''m not 100% happy with her but she will make someone smile - just have to come up with the right sentiment to go with her quirkiness. 

Paint color is "smoked tan"

 Last weekend we went down to the house and Scott got the window trim done and I painted it and he also got the support board for the new fireplace mantle installed. The adhesive had to set up before he adds the mantel; we will do that next weekend. The room is really coming along nicely. OH to be done with it all!

 Then it was back to the little cottage and it's welcoming lights.

 The boys really missed us and spent a good bit of time sucking up to me on the couch.

 I have also worked on another round robin block; this one belongs to Diane in Maine. It is not 100%  perfect but I was happy enough with it to send it on to the next gal. I so enjoy working on these blocks and seeing what others add to them as well. It will be fun to see what they all look like in the end.

 I also made 4 "hands of friendship" for some gals in the Pink Poodle Pack on Facebook. I have to add a bit more fun stuff to the packages but am hoping to get them in the mail this coming week.

On our way to my folks house today we stopped at the Miracle Hill on Cedar Lane and I got these two amazing books for $1... yep 50 cents each! I was thrilled!

Well it is nearly midnight and I am exhausted so I will close this off with a good night and well wishes for a wonderful Sunday. g~night

September - Ah Fall!

As always Greg's birthday on August 24th always signals Fall to me as soon after his birthday we start seeing cooler temperatures and the Hurricanes start coming one after the other. It's a crisp 64*F here tonight as I sit here at the table at the little cottage waiting for Scott to come in from work. And Hurricane Irma is wreaking havoc in the Islands and heading toward Miami Florida. I hope it looses some strength before it makes land fall. It is currently a Category 6 Hurricane... the worst storm in History. Fingers and Toes crossed!!!

Scott is working on second shift now so it feels like we have gone back in time to when I was expecting Greg and Scott worked second. I am slowly getting used to it but I must say being alone at night isn't much fun. I like the quiet putterings of us together ending each day as a team. But it is what it is and we will make it through. It was supposed to be for two weeks while the guy that works this shift was on vacation but it may turn into his regular shift. It is a wait and see at the moment... there he is now.

Tippy - my little white shadow has stuck pretty close to home these days. He is such a silly boy and I love him dearly.

 "MOM... REALLY? I was sleeping real good until you started with the camera... AGAIN!"

A couple projects I've done so far this month... A quilter's round robin square and a birthday card for a friend in the UK.

I had to add a border around Anne's beautiful flower block and I really love how it turned out. I've mailed it on to the next gal in the group to add her border and it will go on and on until it returns to it's owner. I also have a block traveling about the United States.

The card below is for a You Tube friend that will be celebrating her 50th  birthday this month. I really like how it turned out and hope she will like it as well.

  
Last weekend Scott and I stopped at Bika's for lunch and had their cheeseburger basket special. The fries were THE BEST we've had since moving up here. Definitely NOT a diabetic friendly meal though so we won't be able to go often. BUT... we will go again.

And Just Like That August is GONE!

I truly am a horrible blogger since getting on You Tube. I love the Community over there and have made a lot of online friends that feel like they live right next door. The Arts and Crafts Community is amazing on You Tube. Of course as with any place there are those few bad apples that spread negativity and hatred but luckily the good as always out does the bad. If you want to see more of me (us) feel free to watch my video's on You Tube; my channel is AuntBeccreations .

Now let's see if I can still write something... anything to cover August.

 Our "boys" playing together - wrestling is their favorite game. Of course as they are "BOYS".  Callie is less enthused about wrestling. Her favorite game is "hunting"; she brings us all sorts of rewards. The other day she walked up into the front yard with a large crawfish in her mouth. She and Tippy love to go fishing in the little creek behind the cottage.

The zinnias that I planted out front of the cottage have really brought an amazing array of butterflies, moths, dragonflies and hummingbirds. This butterfly worked and worked going from flower to flower; such a joy to watch. Life really is about the little things.

I designed and sewed this delightful cat up as a starter block for a Fall Round Robin with my quilting group. I can hardly wait to see what the others add to him. And I am hoping he doesn't get damaged or lost in his travels as I have a lot of hours in that starter block and  then  the other gals will add their time and talents to him as well.

We found this delightful coffee table at the Goodwill in Travelers Rest for about $6. It needs a little work but Scott says he is up for it. It has two drop leafs and is built quite well and out of REAL wood. 

We had to get all of Aunt Mary Etta's knick knacks out of the basement as we had discovered a swarm of termites flying out from under one of the bushes in front of the cottage and had to call in an Exterminator and we didn't want the knick knacks to get broken. I brought them upstairs and cleaned them up and then put them atop the cornices in the living room. LOTS of birds and at first I feared an episode of Alfred Hitchcock but quickly got over that as they really add to the cottage feel in here. Scott had me clean up the old telephone insulators and they are atop the cornices in the little spare room where he likes to sit in the recliner. Might as well use some of all the stuff  they collected over the years instead of leaving it in boxes and such.

And then this little mamma cat showed up with her 3 babies. Since these photos were taken she has lost one and has returned with just two. The little tigger with the white one below has not come back with her and we fear a hawk or fox got that one. Scott's sister said she will take them if I can get them tamed enough to catch. The momma keeps moving the kittens but she returns each day for a handout. I am getting her to the point I can touch her but she still hisses. We have taken to calling her Prissy - Hissy Prissy exactly.

Adele and her friend Paula came up from Atlanta to experience the Solar Eclipse with us. We had such a wonderful time and it was SO amazing! (August 21, 2017)

 It was so fun sitting in the front yard watching it take place. I left a couple chairs out front so we can sit out there in the evenings and watch the world go by. Callie cat loves the chairs as it gives her a perch to observe all that is hers. Haha

I went down to the house on the 24th to take Greg out to lunch for his birthday. I can hardly believe he is now 31. I went down also to take care of this little feline and the dogs so Greg  could go to Folly Beach for his birthday weekend. Piper was thrilled to have all the extra attention.

Meanwhile back at the cottage Tippy went missing and did not return until August 28th. We had just about given up on him and then he showed up on the porch exhausted, hungry and with an injury to one of his back paws. He stuck pretty close to me all week this week . I was very nearly devastated thinking something horrible had happened to him as he is my little crafting buddy and loves to be with me while I work on things.

Tippy - my tiny Crafter

Good Grief Now it's July~

This year is flying by so fast!

We didn't do anything special for the 4th of July this year. I don't really care for fireworks as they upset the Vets and pets so much. And we were working on the house. The drive down was AWFUL! Traffic was so heavy and crazy. There were so many inconsiderate people on the road. Lots of speeding and cutting other people off. I was so glad to get down to the house and then we came back up on the 3rd as we knew traffic would be crazy again on the 4th. I don't think I will want to travel again on a Holiday weekend.

I am currently suffering with a bought of poison ivy that I got from the cottage kitties. I am thinking the sap was on their fur and when I loved on them I got it on my right leg and my neck. The leg is healing and doing well but the stuff on my neck is horrible. So painful and itchy. I have bought a topical Anti-Itch Lotion and it is helping but I have to keep reapplying it.

Fast Forward to July 30th.
I started this post some time ago but never got back to finish it and now August is just around the corner. August is "family birthday's" month with a birthday every week! First my sister, Hazel who sadly has chosen to cut us all out of her life. I miss her but understand the confusion in her life so much more than the others.

Then our nephew, Drake has a birthday and has just graduated Officers Training with the Navy. We are so proud of him and hope he knows it. Another we rarely get to see but in his case his life has taken him in a fabulous new direction. ANd we wish him well.

Then my Mom's birthday... then Greg's and I think there is one more after that. I have a birthday calendar but it is up at the cottage and we are down at the house this weekend.

Yesterday (July 29 th) Scott and Greg drove my car to Charlotte , NC so that Greg could use my car as a trade-in on a new car for himself. It was time to let my car go and he needed something with air conditioning. I hope he will be happy with the car he has chosen. I also hope that he stays safe in it as it is not a particularly safe car to drive. But he is happy with it  and I guess that is what matters most to him.

Sorry no photos in this post.

Garden and Cats

Just a few little beaded charms that I put together to swap with an online friend. I hope she liked them!

Howie and Tippy are the dynamic duo.... Howie sends Tippy into tight places that he can't fit when something gets away from him.

I LOVE the cheap and cheesy solar lights around the entrance at the cottage.

My little mixed garden is really showing out and I am so enjoying the happy little zinnias and the stunning glads.

NO crafting today Mom... It's all about HOWIE!

Last week I got  the front door painted and I really love how it turned out... only 3 more exterior doors to paint!