Nov4.2010 - Elaine - Picasa Web Albums

My 53^rd birthday was yesterday.  This has been the second one I’ve spent with my Mom and Ray.  Last year we were doing the heart cath thing as well.  This years one turned out much better.  No stent and no long days in the hospital!  My sister Jean came over and brought her granddaughter, Brianna.  We had a terrific visit.  I got a neat little travel bag with Burt’s Bees products in it.  Burt’s Bees is the only products I can use that don’t cause me trouble.  It was a sweet gift.  Then, after our visit, Mom and I went to a store called the Hobby Lobby.  I had never heard of it before, but it was like I had died and gone to heaven!  For dinner, Ray and Mom took me to Olive Garden.  I am not supposed to eat bread, but I did.  Their bread sticks was another died and gone to heaven moment!  I talked with Scott on Skype and watched the dogs sleeping after visiting for awhile.  I finished my day with a piece of carrot cake.  All in all, it was a most awesome birthday.

I included a picture of the ear ring charms I made the week before I came down to Florida.  I had a blast and saved a lot of money. 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/Nov42010#

oct11.2010 - Elaine - Picasa Web Albums

I haven’t been feeling well because of thyroid medicines adjusting, so I never got our trip to Murrells Inlet, SC pictures out to you.  We took our good Nikon along this time.  Scott and I had a blast taking pictures of the amazing beauty of the ocean and the scenery.  We took 703 pictures so I had to narrow them down to a few.  A few ended up being 50 pictures, so I hope I don’t bore you too much with them.  We had a very relaxing weekend.  It is so good to stop and take a few days to slow down and enjoy each others company.  I am doing a little better.  I should be perking up here soon.

I’ve got to take a trip down to Florida as Mom is having another heart cath procedure done. 

I will take my little canon down with me for the trip.

I hope you enjoy the pictures!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/Oct112010#

Murphy trip

Scott and I have come out to Murphy, NC to visit with my Mom and Ray.  This is the same house we rented last year, so the pictures may see familiar.

We had a good trip out here.  We had to pull over for Scott to make a conference call, but it didn’t really take too much time.

Scott wiped my netbook while here because my Verizon wireless access thingy wouldn’t work any more.  He did a system restore and then had to reinstall all my programs.  It took about 8 hours for him to get it all done.  Fortunately, the usb thingy recognized that it was installed and now works.  I was a very happy camper, to say the least. 

I bought the new lens for our Nikon D5000.  Scott and I have had a blast with it.  It handles distance photos very well.  We took over 430 pictures, so it was challenging to weed them down to 15 for everyone to see. 

Scott has a couple of conference calls tomorrow morning and then we will go ahead and head home.  It is so nice to be able to have such great scenery.

Next weekend, we are going back to Dad’s place.  I am looking forward to getting some great pictures with our new lens.  The ocean is my favorite place in the world! 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/September262010#

September9.2010

I’m down here in Florida with Mom and Ray.  Mom was supposed to have knee surgery on Wednesday morning, but Tuesday 40 minutes before her pre-op appointment they called to cancel the surgery because of a personal emergency with the surgeon.  They are also sending her to another surgeon, so who knows when the surgery will end up being.  She has an appointment with the other surgeon next Tuesday, so she will be hopefully told then when her surgery will be.

I am taking the train home tomorrow night and will arrive in Raleigh on Saturday morning.  I only have taken a few pictures while here this time.  I had a couple from home that I’ve gone ahead and included in this posting. I snuck out this morning to try to get some ducks that were sleeping under the weeping willow tree, but they noticed me and went running to the pond and were gone before I could get the shot.  When you see these awesome pictures of birds in flight, etc.  it was a miracle that the picture was taken! 

I’m pretty sure I have figured out everything that I’m allergic to.  The dermatologist gave me a cream to clear up my eczema and now my skin is healed up.  It tends to turn purple here and there, but it is amazing to see my skin not totally raw.  I’ve been able to keep away from all the offending foods while here, which is nice. 

I’m not one to speak out on much, but the pastor burning the Koran is not right.  Burning anyone’s holy book is just wrong! 

 

 

 

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/September92010#

Pantliner assembly

After Scott was laid off from Nortel Networks, he got hired by another company and took a $35,000 cut in pay.  This kind of hurt our budget, to say the least.  I started looking for ways to save money and I came across the idea of making cloth pantiliners.  I got a pattern from some lady who was making them.  I didn’t like the way she put them together, so I took her pattern and made it do what I wanted it to do.  I took pictures of each step and have the link posted at the bottom of this blog.  Taking the pictures made this one take a little longer than the 20 minutes it usually takes to put them together.  I’ve made a bunch for myself and have started making them for my girls.  I also started making cotton hankies, but they aren’t interesting enough to take pictures of each step, so I won’t bore you with that.

I’m doing better with the thyroid medicine.  I quit caffeine a little over a week ago and that has been another adjustment in my life.  I am used to feeling all this pressure to get things done and now I don’t have that.  I am going to have to learn how to keep myself going without a drug!  It is nice not feeling stressed and jittery, so I tell myself that every time I want a caffeinated drink.

I’ll be heading to Florida on Monday.  My mom is having knee surgery and I’m going down to be a help for that.  It will be nice to see her and Ray again. 

A hurricane (Earl) is heading to North Carolina but it seems like it is going to keep to the coast, so we should be okay here in Raleigh.  We could use some rain from the outskirts of it though. 

My eczema is doing better.  Last week it about tripled in size, so I got fed up with it and called the dermatologist.  She gave me a prescription cream that wasn’t as strong because the other bothered me so badly.  It is working nicely.  I no longer have raw skin everywhere, but it is all purple now and hopefully that will go away soon.  If you’ve never had severe itching, you don’t know what you are missing.  I don’t recommend trying it though!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/PantlinerAssembly#

September1.2010

I tried to write a blog the other day and it sounded like I was complaining, so I deleted it.  I’ve got two pictures for you, from my little canon.  One is from a ladies luncheon we had at the end of our summer bible study.  Elijah was being held by a friend, Lorrie Taylor, so his babysitter (Coreen Gray) could eat some of her food.  He was very tired and he gets giggly when he’s tired.  Mine would usually just get cranky!  I pulled out my camera which I now take everywhere with me.  You never know when a Kodak moment will occur!

The other is of Bear and Chloe sitting with me on the deck.  If they aren’t off chasing squirrels, they are laying down somewhere near me.  I was hoping a bird would land at the feeder right next to me so I could get a good picture, but that didn’t happen so I took a picture of the dogs!

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/September12010#

August 20.2010

I just got a DVD on how to operate Scott’s Nikon camera.  It was a blast to watch and to figure out all the features.  I’m sure I’ll need to watch it again because some of it is a blur.  I took a few pictures of my favorite subjects.  Duncan became very irritated with me till I figured out how to keep the flash off.  Bear came over and sat in front of me waiting for me to take his picture.  Chloe was a little irritated with me, but I did get a pretty good picture of her.  I was hoping on figuring out which lens I would want next.  The photographer used the 18 – 55 mm one which we have and he also used the 55 – 200 one which I will start looking for.  There was a longer one but I think I’ll be able to live without that one.

I haven’t gotten much accomplished this week because of my thyroid adjusting.  I am getting tired of being tired! 

Playing with a camera pictures below!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/August202010#

August 17.2010 - Elaine - Picasa Web Albums

Scott and I went to Murrells Inlet, SC again this last weekend.  It was Scott’s birthday while we were there.  We were so grateful for the time away.  Scott didn’t have too much work to do so it was more relaxing this time.

There were thunderstorms on Saturday but we were still able to get to the beach.  I got some awesome pictures of the ocean and the dark skies.

I was also so excited when I noticed a flock of pelicans coming from the distance.  I was able to get quite a few good pictures of them. 

I took 200 pictures while we were gone, so I pared them down to 18 so I didn’t bore you too bad with the usual ocean wave and moon pictures.  We didn’t see any crabs at all this time.  We did see about five dolphins, but my camera wasn’t ready so I didn’t get any of them. 

It was cooler here this morning than in Florida.  It has been warmer here most of the summer.  It was still a very humid walk.  Bear had a little trouble with the heat.  Chloe was unaffected as usual.

Chloe caught and ate a baby rabbit yesterday morning.  I didn’t see that she had it fast enough.  When I noticed, the poor thing was already dead.  She still can’t figure out why I wasn’t happy with her prize.  I’m usually thrilled when she catches a mole, or a mouse.  Bear was afraid of it, so he didn’t make Chloe share.

Hope you enjoy the pictures, I had a blast taking them.  I’m thinking of borrowing Scott’s good camera and try my hand at the more expensive camera. Scott has two guitars that he is almost done with.  He’s been working on them for quite awhile but work has been stressful and that keeps him from doing the intricate work that is necessary for guitar building. 

I’ve been reading about couponing and how you can save money doing that.  I am finding some coupons I can use, but not many.  With all my food allergies, I don’t use processed food items so that is limiting me.  I also have to make my own body products or buy organic unscented products.  I have discovered getting my meats when it is on clearance.  I’ve been able to fill up the freezer with good meat at a good price.  I started getting the Sunday paper for the coupons and then watching for the grocery papers during the week to see what items are on sale.  I also have gotten my food inventory sheet more up to date so that I know what we have in the house.  It would be more helpful if I remembered to take that with me when I am shopping!

Well, I guess that is it for this posting.  I can’t remember anything else that is new or exciting.

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/August172010#

July 26 - Elaine - Picasa Web Albums

Scott and I just returned from a weekend away.  We had a great time.  I’ll call this the trip of the moon because I had so many pictures of the moon.  The last trip was the trip of the crabs.  We didn’t see many of them this time.  The moon was something else.  I had 92 pictures on my camera, but I only picked a couple to show you.

It is nice to be alone, just the two of us.  We have two adult children in the home, so we still enjoy our time away. 

We were greeted lavishly by Bear and Chloe. 

We got a new toy before we left, so now we can have internet away from the house.  It was great to be able to check e-mail and the weather as well.  The weather was HOT!  It was 80 degrees this morning at 5:30!  I think we will have a few days of the low 90’s instead of the 100 degree stuff we’ve had this last week.  It’s bad when your daughter says, it’ll only be 90!

Well, I’m running slow this morning, so I’d better get to my work!  Enjoy the pictures!

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/July26#

 

alright already! again!!!

It’s only the end of June and we are experiencing late August weather.  I just looked at my weather page.  Raleigh is at 97 and feels like 102!  Port Orange is next and she is at 88 and feels like 94,  Clackamas, Or is at 77 and feels like 77, Brookville, PA is at 76 and looking for a thunderstorm,  Binghamton, NY is at 75 with light rain!  I think I would rather be anywhere with my family than here in Raleigh!  I am saying alright already just like I was this winter.  Extreme seems to be the weather word for this year!

Joel and I went to get some groceries this morning.  I needed to go to another store, but it was way too hot for me to go anywhere else.  I’ll try to get the rest of the groceries early tomorrow morning.

I walked Bear and Chloe this morning when it was only 75.  A few mornings we left at 5:30 instead of 6:30 because it was already close to 80 at 5:30!  We come back with our tongues hanging out.

Tonight is homegroup night.  It has been a full day for me.  I realized I hadn’t written for awhile again, so I thought you might like a little update. 

I made three cards in the last few days.  Rachel’s birthday is Wednesday so I wanted to make a special card for her.  I had two others that came out of trying to get hers the right size. 

I got three baby quilts cut out and ready to sew.  The one I was making for a little fellow that was just born in our church (8 weeks old now), didn’t turn out well.  It collects fluff!  I picked it all off four times, washing it in between and it looked like I hadn’t done anything!  I brought it downstairs to use to wrap in while watching tv.  The cats seem to have adopted it.  When I sit down in the family room, I claim it as my own. The cats get ticked when I take it from them!   It is made of flannel which is my favorite fabric. 

Joel made his famous chili for supper, and I can smell its aroma calling my name so I will close for now.

 

June 9, 2010

I realized today that I hadn’t written in my blog since May 26^th, our 32^nd anniversary.  A day after our anniversary we went down to Dad’s place that I call Winter Haven.  Winter Haven waits for our visits as she gets lonely at times.  Dad leaves his pets there, but it isn’t the same as having humans.  Dad likes the Mac so I spent a few minutes teaching the pets the PC which is much easier to use than the Mac (my opinion, not my Dad’s or my Mom’s)  They were intent on learning and they laughed with glee at their newfound learning!

Scott and I spent a bit of time at the beach.  We take our umbrella to sit in the shade during the day.  This time we saw a lot of crabs working on their holes.  I only posted two pictures to spare you the boredom of “they all look the same”!

The weather was mostly perfect.  We got sprinkled on for a few minutes, but the storms usually went around us. 

I love the ocean.  When I need “refreshed” this is where I long to go.  Scott usually takes a couple of guitar making magazines and he reads while I refresh.  I usually hear him say “I’m going to make that for much cheaper!”

Under our squirrel feeder, sunflowers pop up.  That’s the only way I can keep things alive in my back yard.  Bear and Chloe like to dig up anything we plant.  They looked so beautiful this morning that I couldn’t resist taking their picture.  The weather this last few mornings has been wonderful, so I’ve spent a lot of time out there, with Spot (my netbook).  I got my grocery list started yesterday morning while sitting on the deck.  I got several mosquito bites this morning, so I ended up coming in.  I’ve got enough itching problems without adding mosquitoes to them.

I made three nighties and a couple of baby quilts since I last posted.  I think I forgot to post the lavender rose one.  I’ll try to get a good picture of it for you soon.  It is for a friend of Rachel’s. 

I’ve cut out quite a few squares for more baby quilts this week.  I’ve take a few days off from that, but I need to get back to it. 

This week I’ll be getting groceries, which is always a hard job.  I try to buy for two weeks, so it is challenging to try to make sure everything is on the list for all the meals.  Most times I goof, but fortunately stores aren’t too far away for the major goofs. 

Well hopefully, that makes up for the lack of postings!  Enjoy the pictures!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/June92010#

May 26th

Today is a day of infamy for Scott and I.  It is our 32^nd wedding anniversary!  We always joke about maybe we should go ahead and get married, but say “No, we are having too much fun”

Marriage has been a journey.  The first years are getting to know each other better.  Then, the kids started coming.  We had four altogether.  They added to our love.  We discovered even more about ourselves through taking care of the four souls that were loaned to us to raise.  Sometimes they taught us things as well as us trying to teach them things.

  We were moving around a lot during our first years and it was just Scott and I.  It was a good time.  We saw many different places and made many friends along the way.  After the kids started coming, we were glad for the time with just him and me.  Raising kids took a long time too, but now all our kids are adults and a new era has come to be.  We still have the younger two at home, but that won’t be for much longer and then we’ll be empty nesters.  I am not sad about that.  I’m ready for “just us” again.  I am lucky to say that Scott is my best friend and he is also my husband, the light of my life. I would be lost without him and I think he would be lost without me too.  I am so blessed to have married such a wonderful man!  Happy Anniversary to us!!!

May 12th

I’m so glad that I didn’t have bronchitis,  I just had a flu fortunately.  I stayed in bed for about 24 hours and managed to get back to life in a couple of days.  I don’t have any pictures for you today.

At our homegroup on Monday night, we had a pizza party.  As usual, we had a blast.  I always laugh a lot when we get together.  I made pizza (for myself) from my Pamela’s wheat and gluten free mix.  It made “pizza” a lot closer to real pizza.  I am still dealing with hives.  The pharmacist said to take an anti-histimine for three months, so I’m going to try that out.  I am doing a little better.

Julia and Joel are officially done with school till the fall semester.  It will make their lives a little easier.  Rachel was done last week.

Chloe was sick all day yesterday.  I’m not sure if something she ate from the yard was poisoned or what.  She is much better today.

We have had a few days of cool weather.  I have enjoyed it immensely.  Unfortunately, the heat comes back tomorrow.

I brought my little netbook outside on the deck and it inspired me to write to let you all know how I’m doing.  The wind is gusting to 20 mph, so my umbrella is flopping around a little.  The jets are jiggling as they descend to the airport.  The birds all look unruffled and my dogs are grinning!

sick!

After I made breakfast this morning, I realized that I didn’t feel well.  Joel has now come down with bronchitis and I think I may be getting it.  Sore throat and breathing trouble.  Will post when I’m better!

April 21st

Monday our homegroup went to Maitlyn Betts’ soccer game.  She is a senior this year and they were honoring the seniors and their parents.  Bill and Monta brought blankets and seat things for us.  We were totally clueless as to what we would need.  We have watched Maitlyn grow up before our eyes, so it was special to share this with her and her family.  I didn’t know that her Dad could cheer so loudly!

I got some pictures of their bushes while we were waiting to follow them to the game.

I also got a great picture of the moon after the game was done.

I hope you enjoy!

We are all doing well except for Joel.  He has a viral infection and is miserable.  I got a mole off the back of my neck but that wasn’t painful, just itchy now that it is healing.

I had a fun day of card making today. 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/April21st#

April 16th

I haven’t died or anything, but with all this pollen I wish I could have a few times.  I’ve never taken so much allergy medicine in my life.  Itchy eyes, itchy throat, sneezing, coughing and general feelings of misery pretty well describes it!

When I went to put my pictures in Picasa, I found that I had collected 77!  That’s pretty well unheard of because I always write in my blog and take the pictures off.  I had some pictures of my last day with Mom and Ray.  I watched this mallard pair swim right to me from a ways off.  I had no idea they were coming to see me till they got out of the pond in front of me and then proceeded to walk up the grass and stand in front of me.  I played with the movie feature of the camera and got them walking around a little bit, but it wasn’t worth posting on youtube. 

After I got home, the pollen came and I haven’t done much of anything.  I did finish my second baby quilt.  I had the same blocks, but I picked a different pattern for the blocks.  I’m not sure that I like it as well, but it did turn out nicely. 

I’ve made a few hankies as well, but they weren’t good enough to photograph.  I’m having a hard time mastering the rolled hem foot that I bought.  I have added about 8 hankies to my own collection.  I was hoping to sell some, but if I never get good enough at it I will have a good amount of hankies.

When I was waiting for my Joann’s Fabric store to open a goose walked right in front of the store and kind of looked into the window.  I laughed to myself and said he must want to go shopping too!  Then, I remembered I had my camera so I got a picture of him.  I’m not sure where he was heading too, but he seemed to know. 

Well, I’m sorry I haven’t written in such a long time but I hope this fills in the gap a little.

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/April16#

Cookie & Pelican

Yesterday we went to my sister Jean’s house to use her fax.  We found Cookie asleep in her bed.  She did not want to be moved, but then decided to come out and visit.  She’s a nine year old English Bulldog. 

Ray and I went out for dinner because Mom had her card playing girl friends over for several hours.  On the way to Red Lobster, we stopped at the ocean park and I took some pictures.  It seems so odd to me to see cars on the beach.  A child was hit this last week, so it seems that it really isn’t a safe place to let cars drive either.  I got an awesome picture of my favorite bird, the pelican.  I love to watch the pelican in flight.  It is such a stately bird.  Forgive the pontificating!

Red Lobster was great.  I had one of their lobster specials and was delighted with it.  We asked for cheese cake and they had forgotten to thaw it, so we went in search of the ultimate cheesecake.  Two restaurants later we found it.  100% Italian was the name of the place.  The cheesecake was fabulous!  The highlight to the day was the cheesecake and right behind it was the pelican!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/CookiePelican#

Bald Eagles & Hawks - Elaine - Picasa Web Albums

Picasa didn’t work the usual way, so sorry for the different format.

This morning we were delighted to witness a bunch of bald eagles.  They were vying for a fish one of them caught.  I have only seen bald eagles in Dollywood in captivity.  It was an awesome sight!

I put a few other pictures in that I have taken.  One of which is breakfast that Ray makes for me.  He will either make me a wonderful omelet and bacon or sunnyside up eggs and bacon. 

I’m working on a baby afghan while I’m here.  I will try to take a picture sometime soon.  It is growing quickly.  I don’t have the time to sit around while I’m home so I take advantage of the quiet time to crochet.  I have been buying flannel for my other baby quilts that I will be making in between crocheting.

I will be leaving here on Wednesday night on the train.  Ray’s knee is not going to need surgery for quite awhile, so I’ll be able to head home.  We were glad for the good news!

Hope this finds everyone well!

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/BaldEaglesHawks#

to be continued...

I’ve got two different sets of pictures for you today.  The first set I took yesterday and the second I took today.  There is a lot of wildlife near Mom and Ray’s yard so there is a lot for me to take pictures of. 

I had two days to visit with my Aunt and Uncle.  They mean the world to me.  I was so glad for the opportunity to visit with them.  We hardly ever go back to NY, so this is the best way for me to see them and visit with them. 

I got Skype running for Scott, so now we can see each other as well as talk to each other each night.  It makes the time away from home a little better.

I got up early this morning and took a walk with Pixie and Ray.  Sunlight was just beginning to peak through.  It was a warm 50 degrees.  After walking in Raleigh’s coldness for so long it felt almost like a heat wave!

Ray made me a wonderful omelet and bacon for breakfast!  I always get so spoiled when I come down here.  Ray took us out to Chili’s for a late lunch and I got their ribs.  I’ve been craving ribs, so they really hit the spot.

Hope this finds you well.  I’ll write more as I get the time. 

My little netbook is working out real well.  I had a much easier time getting on the train and off the train. 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/MomS#

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/Cormorants#

trip to Dad's - Elaine - Picasa Web Albums

We had a very good trip down to my Dad’s at Murrells Inlet, SC.  We arrived Friday night close to 9:00 and then left Saturday at 5:00.  We went out for breakfast at a place real close by, that I can’t remember the name of.  Then, for lunch we went to the River City Café for burgers and fries.  They were nice about not giving me a bun.  The food was delicious and the company was even better.  I hadn’t seen Dad and Joan for awhile, so it was good to see them again. 

Scott noticed the turtles in the pond in front of Dad’s place.  There were more, but they ran off when Scott showed up with the camera.

I took Scott’s picture and then he said he had to take mine to be fair, so here we are. 

I love pelicans, so I had a blast taking these guys’ pictures.  I also like sea-gulls, if you can’t tell!  My Dad always finds me neat pelican post cards which I’ve got over my desk to inspire me (right next to Dwight Schultz). 

Well, I guess that was all the fun for that trip. 

Next trip will be posted probably tomorrow.  I’m in Florida with my Mom and Ray and also my favorite Aunt and Uncle.  I got some cool pictures of cormorants this morning.

To be continued…

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/TripToDadS#

quiltnightgown

I did get started packing for my Florida trip, but got distracted with wanting to sew my night gown.  I had a bear of a time cutting the fabric out.  I couldn’t get it to lay without wrinkles.  I thought I was going to have trouble sewing it too, but it went really well.  In fact, so well that I finished it already.  It was way too big, so I had to take in the sides.  I will need to get a smaller pattern if I make it again.  I do have more fabric for another nightgown, but I have a v-neck pattern that may be prettier.  This one looks like a huge t-shirt.  It is comfortable though.

This afternoon we are running down to my Dad’s place in Murrells Inlet, SC.  We haven’t been able to get down there this winter because of the kitchen remodel and also all the storms we had.  We’d get done with one storm and then another would head our way.  We will spend the night and come back tomorrow afternoon.

 All my laundry is done and that is most of the job of packing. Now I just need to gather everything.  The suitcase is out and the dogs are depressed.  I feel sorry for them.  They are always with me and when I go they are very lonely.  I always miss them terribly too!

The pictures of the quilt are after washing it.  Washing and drying it makes the edges fray.  I was surprised that they fraying kind of makes it looks lacy. 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/Quiltnightgown#

quilt - baby

 

For the past three days, I’ve been cutting and sewing a baby quilt I’ve been working on.  Elisha’s sister, Anna, is having a baby shower on April 3^rd.  I wanted to have her gift ready before I left for my Florida trip.  Now it is in the washer doing the fraying thing. I also hope it is getting the chalk line off.  It was supposed to wipe off with a wet wash cloth, but it didn’t.

I really have enjoyed sewing.  It made me think of my grandmother.  She taught me quite a bit.  As a teenager, I didn’t want to iron the fabric and other things that would make the process go smoother, but I’ve found myself listening to her advice now. 

I’m supposed to be getting packed.  I think I will start now that my project is done.  Maybe, I will cut out my nightgowns and try to get them done.  I could be pushing it, but I’ll see.

I do need to get lunch as I’m an hour late for that!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/QuiltBaby#

March 14

There’s not much going on here.  I’ve been getting my fabric ready to make some baby quilts in between keeping the house cleaned and the office work done.  I did buy a pattern to make Mandi a winter coat, but since it has gotten warmer, I think I will take the pattern down with me to Florida and see what kind of adjustments will need to be done to it to make sure it will fit a Boston Terrier.

I finally got my ticket to go to Florida.  I am looking forward to having some time with my family. 

I’m having a bad time with hives again.  I’ve discovered that I can’t do any nutrasweet at all.  The problem is my favorite candy is filled with it.  After tonight, I think I’ll be able to keep away from it.  Both my legs are full of hives. 

I think the people who decide to keep doing daylight savings time should be hung up by their toe nails and tickled in their arm pits!

I leave for Florida next Sunday night on Amtrak.  Train leaves at 9:00 pm and arrives 9:07 am.  I’ve got my little netbook all set up and ready to go.  Scott’s regular laptop is dying, so I’m getting my stuff off of my regular one to give to Scott. 

That’s all the excitement for now!

March 2.10

We are waiting for our next snowfall as I write.  I thought I told winter to go away!  Oh well, we are supposed to check the weather at 5:00 because they could change our 1 – 3 inches to 3 – 5 or so depending on the jet stream location!  If we get anything post worthy, I will take some pictures for you.  I may have to get brave and go out more than just opening my front door!

I just had to change the battery in my camera because I had gone through it.  I bought an extra battery so that I wouldn’t have to be without my camera.  I’ve been taking bird pictures.  Also, I started taking squirrel pictures for my friend Joan.  They have recently had trouble with squirrels building nests in their attic.  She was getting ready to start a reward for their pelts, but I convinced her not to do it!  TeeheeJ  Bear and Chloe love to chase them and I love to watch their funny antics so I let them be in my yard.  I found a new nest in my neighbors tree, so they are being fruitful and multiplying

I have all my traveling supplies ready, now I just need the right time.  I’m waiting to see how long my Aunt and Uncle are going to be at Mom and Ray’s house.

Enjoy the pictures.   All is well here.  We had a great homegroup dinner last night.  We enjoyed our feast and then the laughing began.  I haven’t laughed that hard since the last time the kids all came over.  Food and friends are a wonderful thing!  I should have brought my camera, but I forgot!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/March210#

Winter go away please!

I don't know about you, but I'm about done with winter this year.  We had a winter weather advisory here again this week.  It also looks like we may get another storm next week.  Alright already, we are done with this!  We haven't had it any where near as bad as the north, so I know I shouldn't complain, but I'll complain for all of us instead of just me!

We got a couple of hours of flurries, but nothing serious.  I took some pictures, but it seemed so anti-climatic compared to the northern states that I didn't bother to post any of them. 

I have a new little canon camera so I am playing with that.  It also takes movies which I played with as well.  I love having new gadgets.  I get that naturally from my Dad.  He loves to tinker with new gadgets too!

I got a gift card from Joanne Fabrics from Rachel and Elisha for Christmas, so I decided to go there this morning on the way to get groceries.  I never did get groceries.  I got too hungry so Julia and I stopped and got lunch.  I had a whopper and onion rings, no bun to keep away from my food allergies.  While we were sitting there enjoying our lunch, I decided to go back to Joanne's to get some flannel to make baby quilts with.  They had a 50% off sale on flannel.  Elisha's sister who got married this last summer is expecting her first baby and Janelle a friend of Rachel's is also having her first.  Rachel brought Janelle over to my house to let me teach her about card making.  We all had such a grand time together that I kind of feel like I'm going to be a Grandmother!  I got 2 different fabrics to make nightgowns with and then I'm going to get started on baby quilts. 

Everyone is doing well here.  I had a whopper of a sinus headache this morning, but my decongestant pretty well took care of that. 

Birds at my feeder

I got these two pictures while sitting at my window.  I wasn't sure what they were so I looked them up. 

I got up early this morning and yesterday and the temperature was 39 degrees, it was a real heat wave!  I don't have to wear my big coat when it is that temperature.  It took about ten minutes less time to get outfitted to walk.  Tomorrow rain is coming and maybe some snow also them temp. is going back down to 20 so I will have to wear my coat again. 

I'm trying to think if anything else exciting has happened and I don't think it has, so I'll close. 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/February2310#

February 22.10

Trying out a new font size to see if this will turn out better.

You will notice that a lot of my pictures are of Bear or Chloe.  That is because they are my best friends and are always around when I take my camera out!

I got a new bird feeder.  It is made out of recycled plastics and is very sturdy.  The birds are enjoying it and I am enjoying the fact that it will not fall apart like my wood ones have.

My thyroid was in normal parameters and I'm starting to feel human again.  I'm not sure what the long funk was about, but I'm glad it is over.

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/February2210#

Picasa Web Albums - Elaine - final phase 1 kitchen

 

I cleaned the kitchen all up on Monday so that I could take pictures.  When I took out the camera, the battery had died and I didn't know how to change it.  Scott showed me the process tonight so now I am all set to do it by myself.  (Wednesday)

We are probably going to change the paint color in a few weeks.  We are also going to do a tile backsplash in the future.  Also, I want some more lighting put in, probably around the same time as the tile backsplash. 

I got myself a little netbook so I can travel better on the train.  I am so happy with it.  Right now, it is sitting in the kitchen.  My desk has my other laptop so I can do our paperwork and some writing when I have the chance.  My laptop bag was so heavy the last time I took the train that I vowed I would have a netbook before I took it again.  It is much lighter to say the least.

Everyone is well here.  I got my thyroid levels checked today, so I will hear what needs to change by tomorrow.  Then, I can feel free to take the train.  My favorite Aunt and Uncle are going to Mom and Ray's on March 7th for a few weeks and I hope to be able to see them on this trip.  I need to get my netbook set up to transfer pictures so that I am ready.  Last time I forgot to take any pictures of them and I felt really bummed about that.  I am also looking forward to meeting Mandi, a new Boston that joined the family a couple of months ago.

Enjoy the pictures!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/FinalPhase1Kitchen#

Misc. news

I thought I had pictures of the kitchen all finished (phase 1) but I didn't so I will have to repost again soon.  Scott's weekend job ended up being that weekend, then all week, and then this last weekend.  The kitchen looks so nice.  We don't think we have the right color for the kitchen so we'll wait a few weeks to give Scott a break and then maybe try again.  The color is a little on the peachy side and doesn't quite work.  Our bonus money ran out, but we plan on fancying up the cupboards and putting some more lighting in the kitchen, that will be phase two.

We'd like to tile the bathroom floors some time.  It shouldn't cost so much and also Scott will be able to do that himself as it is a smaller project. 

I have not been eating the way I should so I've had this horrible hive patch for six months.  I decided a week ago to go back to behaving.  It's been a challenge with everyone having so much fun with chips and dip!  My hive patch is now much better.  It was a bright cherry red and now it is a fading brownish color.  I will probably have a scar from it, when it heals up.  I am not missing the itching at all. 

Joel is doing much better.  He's able to be back to work and school.  His memory isn't functioning well, so he may have to drop a course from his school load.  The neurologist is taking him off of the extra medicines that were for the migraines.

Sorry for the delay on the pictures.  I downloaded all the ones I had taken and there were none of it completed!  I will try to get them to you soon.

Kitchen remodel and some storm pictures

I'm feeling a little better finally from bronchitus.  I'm still having coughing fits but they are much farther in between. 

Scott and I ended up washing down our new tile floors since we had a snow storm and the tile guys couldn't get here to clean them up.  They left the stuff for us because everyone could see that the storm was coming.  The stove will go back in its place tomorrow (Sunday).  Church has been cancelled because the roads won't be safe till Monday sometime.  Monday we will be able to put the fridge back in its place.  Scott is working on three different projects plus painting the walls before we put the appliances back.  Also, he needs to take down the wall paper border before he can paint.  He has a few more projects to do than he has weekend!

Julia and Joel's work was closed today so we don't have to worry about them driving in all this mess.  They were called to go in yesterday and they rode together.  They were sent home before the roads were bad.

I got extra bird seed when I went shopping yesterday.  I am having lots of fun watching the birds.  I had several that I hadn't seen before so I had to get the bird book out to identify them.  One was my goldfinch, but I didn't know he had a different color for winter!  I also had a purple finch which I hadn't seen before.  He's a winter bird here.  I still have one that I'm trying to figure out. 

I am more than ready to have my kitchen put back together.  It was a long week!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/SnowStormkitchen#

end of an era

Today the kitchen counter top is being replaced.  It is truly the end of an era!  I took pictures of the new cabinet under the sink and the last time I had to bleach the stupid counter tops.  I am not going to post them yet.

I have bronchitus and am feeling like trash, so it's a wonder that you are hearing from me. 

Joel is much better.  The x-ray showed that the pneumonia is almost gone.  He went to school yesterday after missing his first week of school.

Julia turned 23 yesterday!  I took a picture of her cake which I will post when I post the kitchen pictures. 

The kitchen floor is supposed to go in next Monday and Tuesday so I may post all the pictures together. 

I am looking forward to having my kitchen put back together. 

COLD

You know that it has been cold when I wake up and check the weather and my response is "Goodie, It's 22 degrees and it feels like 22 degrees!" 

The dogs are happy because we went on our walk!

January5.2010

Scott took a picture of me in the backyard Saturday after walking the dogs in this bitter cold.  I thought you might like to see my outfit for such an adventure.  I haven't braved the elements since then.  Monday morning it said "It feels like 10 degrees" on my weather page and I said "I don't think so!"  I didn't walk this morning either when it said it felt like 13 degrees.  Maybe tomorrow I will be braver.  The dogs are being too busy in the house, so I'd better get them out tomorrow.

I have started taking down the Christmas things.  The tree is still up because I can't find the coil thingy to wrap the lights up with.  The process took me to the back storage cubby, which now looks very nice.  The front cubby is still a disaster.  I was going to work on that today but Joel caught a bad cold and is unable to help me.  He carries the heavy stuff to a place where I can organize it.  Then, he carries it back and I put it where it belongs.

Scott stained the new cupboard and put the doors back on.  I haven't taken a picture of it yet.  We told the counter top guy which granite we wanted and he is going to come make a template of the kitchen.  About a week after that he will come and install it.  I'm still hoping the flooring guy won't be bothered by the counter guys.  It could get interesting!

Rachel came for the morning, so we had a really nice visit.  Her school starts next week, so she won't be able to visit much till spring semester is over.

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/January52010#