God was in it....

When I started this blog I was determined to keep it positive, but I either have to keep that goal or tell the truth! This has been a rough month! First my husband finished his radiation treatments (37 of them) for prostate cancer. He sailed through treatments but then had terrible trouble with urination for weeks afterwards. The Urologist wondered (outloud) if perhaps he had permanent bladder nerve damage. Of course he did not (the radiation doctor said he hasn't had a case like that in the last 30 years!) That resolved on a Wed. (he has been absolutely normal ever since).

Thursday I went into the hospital for "minor" outpatient knee surgery. I had a torn medial meniscus from jogging all my life, I think, and recently starting a couch to 5 K program after not being able to run for a period. Anyway, what started as a simple surgery quickly escalated into a full-fledged code! My BP dropped to 80/40 and I was given Atropine... then I was okay a short time and then went into V-tach which is life threatening! Evidently I had several episodes and they called a Cardiologist in. I am now home and wearing an event monitor to try and catch arrythmias, and will have a stress test when my knee heals enough. The knee is wonderful and healing so fast. I walked 2.5 miles today and did squats, weights, etc. without difficulty!

Hard to be positive with all that going on. God has been good to us with everything working out so well. Our wonderful Sunday School class brought meals over for a week. We ate things we never do (white flour, sugar, desserts, etc)! Now we are back to our non-processed, fresh foods, low carb, healthy way of eating. We feel better and seem to be losing weight, but of course I do have to cook!

Saturday we mounted a flat screen TV in our bedroom and we are trying to catch up on some random projects we had started around the house. I made a new Duvet for our bedroom (which we are remodeling). I had just scraped the popcorn stuff off the ceiling, sanded and painted it before all the drama! I have a new project to start ... My DGD a quilt for Christmas. That is one of so many I would like to finish by that time so I really need to get back to "normal" and get back into life!

I am so grateful to God for being with me and keeping me safe throughout the while ordeal. I am thankful that DH is fine and has made it through the treatments without any lasting damage. He will return for a new PSA level in May... We are praying!

Re-doing my bedroom...

Yes, I am re-doing my bedroom the HARD way! I am starting with the popcorn stuff on the ceiling and working down! I hate the job, but I also hate the dated popcorn stuff! I am presently dragging stuff out of the room and anticipate starting the job on Friday after an Ortho appt. Thursday night I need to take my son to hear a speaker at a local college speak on Evolution and Creation. (Extra Credit for Biology). The job is SO messy that I hesitate to start it until the appts are over for a week or so! It always takes me a week or so to get it done, sanded, painted, and the mess cleaned up! I have purchased a new ceiling fan (like one sold at Restoration Hardware). My son has had one like it for years and we have loved it. Then we have plans to mount the new HD TV (instead of sitting it on the chest where it is currently), over the dresser. We also plan to redo the wall behind the bed with wainscotting about 5 foot high (I love white moldings, built layer by layer... DH has done the windows, etc. all throughout the house). I have framed some photos we took on vacation in Maine last July to set, leaning against the wall on the ledge of the wainscotting. Haven't planned much further than that because I am determined to enjoy the spring/summer and not be doing 100 projects as I usually am!

We had a nice visit with my oldest son and my DIL and grandkids this past weekend. We took them Valentine's gifts and went out to eat at Red Bone Alley. Tyler had Sparks so he missed the dinner and we missed him, too! The oldest are now "polishing rocks" with their new rock polishing craft kit! I told them I wanted them to make me something and Tyler promised he would. (The kit comes with key chain, necklace, earring "hardware", etc. to make jewelry) We took Caleb a Bug-Making toy... lots of big plastic pieces to buile all sorts of critters. We hope they are having fun! They are enjoying their new home and have done a lot of work on it already. Christy has sewn curtains, painted, etc. They are planning a new patio and irrigation system. The area is very rural and restful! Makes me long for the country...

Took my daughter and her husband to the airport yesterday to fly to Greece for a week. It must be nice! This is their first trip to Greece, although they have been all over the world. I am praying for them to have a safe and fun trip.

I am planning some more quilts and would like to quilt at night throughout the summer . Sounds good to swim and be outside all day and quilt at night! LOL! Hopefully, DH will get a great report in May concerning his PSA. He is finishing up his last radiation treatments and is tolerating them well. God is great and mercyful!!

Stars and Snowflakes Quilt

I just finished my MIL's Christmas quilt. I decided mid-November to make her one and just could not talk myself out of it! No one should EVER try to make a quilt in this length of time-especially with Thanksgiving smack in the middle!! I managed to get it finished, signed and wrapped and boxed and it is ready to mail! I hope she loves it as much as we love her. My MIL is the most perfect, Christian woman that ever lived... I am convinced! She reared 13 children and they are ALL good Christian people. I am fortunate to be married into this wonderful family. We picked her up a fruitcake (yes, fruitcake!) She is one of the few people I know who loves the stuff. Costco had some very fresh looking fruitcakes so we wrapped one up and put it into the box. I have a visual of her eating her cake with coffee (she is a coffee nut like myself) and cuddled in that quilt. I know she will never use it that way... she will put it on the bed! Still...great visual!

I had some leftover material and made my Mom a couple of hot-pads to include in her box. Cheap gift, I know, but I would love to have some (I NEED some) and I couldn't stand to waste the materials.

I have put the machine away!!! Yea!! I need a break! I fixed Thanksgiving dinner and wish we would have put the forks down long enough to take photos! We had a 20# turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, broccoli casserole, cranberry salad, yeast rolls with butter, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, fresh apple cake with vanilla sauce and my DD brought a Tiramisu! WHEW! Was a wonderful dinner. My son and DIL stopped by later with the grandkids, as it was their year to have dinner with my DIL's parents.

Now we are working on getting the house decorated for Christmas. THEN we can take a deep breath and start enjoying the Christmas season! Busy, busy this year (every year)!

Wonderful things this week: *Quilt is finished!
*Joe Joe's cookies from our new Trader Joe's (OMGOODNESS!!)
* Encouraging Urologist appt. for DH (prostate cancer)
*Found some great deals for Christmas gifts at after Thanksgiving
sales

Snakes on a Quilt AKA Snoozin' with Snakes!

Here is my first attempt at a larger than crib-size quilt (this one is a large twin size) and also the first machine quilted quilt I have attempted! I am trying to get a front, back and signature photo posted! It says, " Love Grandma Ruble" and the date.

Busy, Busy...

This should be my middle name! I spent an hour trying to resize and post a photo of myself (so I can later post quilt pictures, kids pictures, garden pictures...etc. ) Only to find out the site makes it fairly easy to just take a photo directly from the computer rather than have it hosted first! I always try to accomplish things the hard way, it seems.

Just tried Dr Oz's new green fresh drink. I liked it! Chock full of veggies. Then I followed it up with 3 peanut butter oatmeal cookies! I just wasn't full... LOL!

DGS's Christmas quilt is done. Snakes on a Quilt I call it (Snoozin' with Snakes" is the official title, I think). I didn't use triangles on a roll as I am always on a very strict budget and try to cut costs anyway I can! I will try to take a photo and post it later today.

DS has an allergy shot today and DH and I plan a quiet breakfast tomorrow at Panera Bread. We are awaiting results of the latest PSA. I drew it on Wed. and next Wed. we will get results. This one may dictate that he begin radiation treatments. (If it is still elevated). If you pray, please do. I am disappointed by my DS's recent disrespect and downright rudeness toward his parents. That has been a constant source of stress at a time when we really can't handle it. God is good and has given us much strength and courage to face each day.

I have purchased fabric to make my DMIL (who is the sweetest woman on earth) a quilt and oh how I would love to complete it by Christmas but I think that may be impossible! If I could just skip Thanksgiving I think I might make it! Remember the "Skipping Christmas" movie..... hummmmm.... Don't think my children would go for that! Gotta get busy...

Love to all who see, read, post, or pray,
Viv

Why Blog? All about my family and myself...

I always looked at blogging as a waste of good time that could be used so much better in other ways. I just read the most insightful, inspiring blog by a woman named "Tammy" in the mountains of NC (and promptly lost it!) She was a homeschooling Mom, (as I was for so many years) and a Christian as I am. She wrote of her large family and the daily tasks of gardening, teaching, quilting, etc. I identified with her so much and felt like she was an old friend. I intend to find her again! I re-thought the blogging idea. I love to get ideas for new quilts, gardening, cooking, etc. from other people. Why not share some of my ideas or projects, also?

About me:

I am a mother of 5. My oldest son is 34 my youngest (also a son) is 15. Three lovely girls in between. I am an RN (worked ER, Home-Health for years..) but I am "retired" hopefully permanently) since about 1999 when I quit work to home-school my youngest. We are a Christian family and I wanted my son taught in Christ's ways but could not afford the private Christian school tuition. I taught many years but ironically my son is now in our church's Christian School (for the past two years) and I have not returned to work. Those of you who are Christians will understand that what I could not afford WORKING God has made possible when I am staying at home..... :) I am now filling my hectic days with normal family/cooking/cleaning/gardening stuff with an occasional day of quilting, sewing, scrapbooking (which I don't enjoy a lot but feel the need to do!) thrown in.

My husband has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and had a radical prostatectomy last June. The cancer was aggressive and "to" the edge of the surgical margin, although not beyond, so we must go in about every three months to have PSAs evaluated. The Urologist allows me to draw the blood at home since I am still a registered RN and this lowers the stress around here considerably! We are due for a result the 13th of this month which will determine whether he has to have radiation or not. Please Pray! My husband is a hard-working, gentle guy who has always worked 2-3 jobs to keep us afloat with 5 kids! He is now, for the first time in his life, working ONE job and I want him to have time to enjoy life a little. Little things like Sat. breakfasts, Wed. night Bible studies with his family, traveling, etc.

My son, who is still at home (15) is a wonderful person. Very smart and loving. Oh, he has his problems... I don't mean he is perfect!! I pray daily he will overcome them, but he is a blessing!He got a pet bunny this summer when we went on vacation. He had always wanted one and we went to a pet shop in PA and just brought one home! (cage and all...) He loves that bunny and the whole family has become quite attached! I missed the Lancaster Amish quilts for this bunny... and this boy... but I would trade the guy...or the bunny for all the quilts in the world!! I hope when he is old he still remembers that vacation ... the one where he got the bunny!

We also have a dog, (toy poodle) Abbey, who is 11 years old and we have had her since our son was 4! She is a sweetie and is the smartest thing. Abbey is more like a child than a dog. We have an outside cat that just showed up...DS started feeding him.... two Cordon Blue finches ...um, I think that's it.

Our grown children: Oldest son and his sweet wife live in SC, two hours away. They took our three precious grandchildren with them!! The nerve! Tyler is 6, Olivia, 4, and Caleb 2. They bought a beautiful home (several sizes bigger and fancier than ours, for sure!) and are enjoying SC!

Daughter #1 (our precious adopted one...) is working at Wachovia here in town and has completed her frst year in the Wake Forest MBA program (following in older brother's footsteps. He graduated in August with an MBA from Wake.) She is single and enjoying living in a new condo and traveling. She is quite a "foodie"! :) Hard working and considerate.

Daughter #2 is a Biology teacher and has now moved back home to teach at her old HS. She is married to her HS sweetheart and is now a Carolina Topcat Cheerleader. She is the busy one...hardly ever see her! Appearances and games all the time!

Daughter #3 graduated for Davidson and has yet to find her perfect job. She is working for Davidson right now in a temporary research position. Sweet, Christian, and quiet.... Has a pet turtle, who she rescued from an owner who did not take the proper care of him, and an unsaved boyfriend who she refuses to marry (for about 8 years now) and we all pray for him daily! He is sweet, kind and comes to church with her. He "wants" to believe and I have the faith that someday he will!

I have recently returned to quilting which I have not had much time for until recently. I just made my DGS a "Snoozin with Snakes" quilt for Christmas. I will share the photo when I have time to take one! I planned to make my MIL a quilt for Christmas, also, but I have decided to work at a slower pace and enjoy the holidays with my family instead of a constant, hectic "push" to complete another quilt! I also intend (Lord-willing!) to finish my DGD one for her bed, and my other DGS one, also. I just finished Olivia's annual Christmas dress. Tyler asked me to make him something and he said, "Ma-Ma, if you make me something I PROMISE to wear it!" LOL! So...that inspired the quilt which I call "Snakes on a Quilt!" Picture to follow....I promise...within days...

I hope that whomever the Lord leads will find my blog. Those that it will encourage and lift up. Perhaps those going through the cancer struggle.... those who love to quilt, (I am learning, still), those who garden, crochet, knit, sew, cook, read, watch movies, travel, .... those who enjoy time with their families and God, and enjoy the quiet, small things that are so HUGE in life will come to share with me...?

Love, Viv