Just an update on what is going on around here.

I managed to get the exercise bike down to the garage and the Christmas tree box back up from the basement to as far as the kitchen. Not an easy job for an old broad like me but I let my muscle people go home on Thanksgiving day so I had no choice.

I have the spot in front of the bay window ready to set up the tree but that will be later.

I did start a project that has laid dormant since before last Christmas It consist of four stocking ornaments. If my fingers hold out from trying to push pins into foam forms they should be pretty attractive.

I found an article on Christmas cacti in our local newspaper the other day. Having had both my plants bloom after Christmas last year I found that by withholding water for six weeks in the winter it encourages blossoms. So I tried it for a little less than six weeks with these results.

I have counted over thirty buds on this one plant. Guess it works well.

So let me know what is going on at your house in these weeks before the big day!

If you wish to see a picture of our Tranquillity III group  this was from a couple of years back.   They will be in the  Lake Orion Parade on December  fifth again this year.

I will try to get down there for a few pictures.  I must confess I sure do miss marching with them but when you get old the stamina disappears and the the best things you can contribute are keeping up the costumes and helping dress them on that night.    But it is still an exciting event for all!

Blue skies but the big thermometer on the porch read 30 degrees and the walk out with Brandy verified that. So yesterday quickly became a go nowhere–do nothing day for me.

I swear that somewhere between Thursday night and Friday morning I developed a condition known only to me as ‘ROLLITIS’. It is where another roll appears quickly around your middle and makes it difficult to breathe, sit, or even do up your pants. It usually takes four or five day to start the removal of this uncomfortable condition. With that and my feet feeling like I had spent the whole day dancing with a beginning tango student it sure made it easy to just chill out.

The Thanksgiving decorations are still on display but I’ll get them down shortly. I have to start decorating for the next holiday shortly. In fact I thought I heard Buck and Doe grumbling, in the basement, about still hanging on the wall.

I certainly hope you had a great Thanksgiving and do let me know if any of you got ‘rollitis’ also!

Thanksgiving dinner started a little after 2:00 pm. The Jenkins family from Lake Orion, Richard from Oxford, Cindy and David from Pontiac, and of course us. Concentrating on getting every one fed resulted in no pictures except for the one above. A floral arrangement from the Jenkins’.

We did however get the costumes for the Lake Orion Lighted Parade next Saturday–the fifth of December all sorted out. All but three of the eleven costumes hanging in the closet went to Lake Orion with the crew.

The last of the dishes are back in the cupboard, the leftovers are in the fridge, and this Momma is tired.

Realizing it is a little late to wish you A Happy Thanksgiving day I will settle for a happy and prosperous time in the weeks to come.

Indeed the dress is done.

The coat closet contains eleven adult size costumes waiting to be selected for the Christmas parade.

But now the cleanup begins. The ironing board, iron, and sewing machine must go back to their normal spaces. The bags of material, the button box, the thread caddy, and scissors have a place to be so I will put them there.

My bathroom and mats are in order but every thing else in the dome calls for attention.

I got Brandy in for a bath and haircut this morning but the bird cages are due for a cleaning.

So there is no more time for procrastination my friend because my tasks are clear. With Shovel, broom, and Hoover I start my appointed rounds  But I will return!

I will admit that after hurriedly ripping the top of a costume to allow a parade participant to wear it on a moments notice is a drastic solution. But I couldn’t disappoint a friend of my grand daughter by saying it doesn’t fit.

The deed done she marched and had a great time doing it but the costume was packed away with no repairs for a couple of years.

I pulled it out when washing and repairing the costumes for the event this year. A few seams to resew, a couple to let out. and some buttons to sew on. But then I came to the Tree Dress. I had originally placed the tree on the front to allow more room in the costume as the children were growing up. I had spent time drawing the trimmings with liquid glitter on it. So to just throw it away after the cutting seemed a shame.

The last few days I have agonized over how to fix it. By taking the top part off altogether, letting out the pleats in the waist of the skirt part, and adding a two inch band of white trigger material to it I was able to gain one or two sizes to the project.

Now came the hard part. Building a top to fit the skirt with no pattern and just the vaguest idea of what I needed to complete my dress.

After adding red material to the original green back of the top I achieved a piece large enough to be sewn to the skirt. Next came white material to make the front. Using the back as a pattern I cut out the front. I used the fur and jingle bells trim from the old top to define the neckline and trim it to fit.

After sewing top to bottom all I have left to do is adjust the old sleeves to fit and then attach them.   I had all the material and the basic dress so  all I had  invested was imagination and time–cheap cost for a great return.

Hopefully the old Tree dress will grace another excited marcher this year.

After deciding to embroider a little yesterday afternoon a call from my youngest grand daughter changed my plans and set my mind into high gear. She asked to borrow the clown costumes for the Lake Orion Lighted Parade again this year. The parade is normally on the first Saturday of December but she said they would try them on when they came up for Thanksgiving dinner.

Oh boy, less than a week to locate, wash, and alter them because two years can make a lot of difference in a teenager’s size.

I tried to recall what I remembered needed to be repaired and where my extra material was. A new costume was needed for Dakota.  I needed to call and see if they needed any small child’s costumes. The wigs need to be washed. The lights that are pinned to the costumes need to be checked and burn out ones replaced.

If anything will pull me into the Christmas spirit this this project will. But truth be told I love being needed and will start this morning with my small part of another memory fot my grand kids!

It is finally a sad goodbye to the little turkey Dakota Cree made me many years ago. I’m going to miss trying to straighten his feathers every year. But like me he is getting more difficult to try to stand up straight. So alas it is adieu to Tom and I will miss him!

The other bit of business was concluded at 4 am this morning and is tucked safely in my bedroom out of sight. I have seen enough of those lovely shades of blue to last me a long while.

So while poor Mrs. DoF is getting her dishwasher fix, Millie is packing for Florida. and Silver Fox is preparing for a cruise I have nothing to do for a few days and I have to smile at that.

I do have a little record keeping. for Dr. Hukill, to catch up on and then I think one of my (already started) embroidery projects might be a welcome change.

Take care of yourself and we will visit again.

Finally the project is almost done. Only the edging to go on today. I can’t say I’m unhappy to see it finished because it has been a while in the making.

This morning I got the usual domestic chores out of the way but none of the in depth things that will need attention soon.

Yes our holiday schedule is changing this year. Age and financial items have dictated that we must reel in expenses and conserve our energy. So, much to my husband’s chagrin, I have ordered a ready made dinner from VG’s for Thanksgiving. Two of my children and their families will join us, along with Richard, while SEB and family will dine with his in laws.

After much consideration I have decided to discontinue the tradition of family gathering on Christmas Eve. I have explained that I will have something to eat here that day but there will be no festive or traditional meal. I said I would be delighted if they wished to visit but that gift giving will be suspended.

The time comes in one’s lifetime when you can no longer do the things you love to do. Also the economy has hit everyone in our family hard so it isn’t fair for me to add to the burden.

On the brighter side our temperatures are still above normal. Sunshine seems to be the order of the day and Molly is demonstrating that here.

Brandy is basking in sunlight, on the floor, from the bay window also. Watching these two makes me want to crawl under the covers and snooze a little too but there are things to be done. So I will close for now, pick up my hook, and grab a fresh cup of coffee. Until next time love, laugh, and live.

There you have it thirty 14 inch squares ready to go together. But it took another full day to set up the design and start sewing them.  I ended up with six across and five down. I’m trying to alternate the colors for more interest. I have had a little interference from Brandy who feels I need to sit on the couch and let her lay beside me. But working before she gets up in the morning or taking time out during the day to go outside and swing seems to fill her needs.

My other problem was a feeling of anxiety about the sewing. I watched a couple of  ‘how to’ videos that Pammie sent me and read up on the process too.   But I couldn’t seem to pick up that needle and start. I finally jump in with both feet and tried to accomplished something.
As of today I have three strips done and three to go. Next I will have to sew the strips together.

On Thursday Jay and I visited Shawn at Grondin’s for long overdue hair cuts. For a couple of days I’m going to look like Alfalfa from ‘The Little Rascals’! But this too shall pass!

I’m taking this evening off to watch a little uninterrupted Boob Tube time.

I won’t tell you to stay warm because the temperatures are up in the upper 50s and lower 60s in our area.

Have a good rest of the week end and we will visit again soon.