Johnsons' Journey

I got the quilt for my friend’s baby done yesterday. I haven’t taken any pictures yet, but I plan to before I get it packed up. I’ll post them once Jenn has received it… Anyway, I think it turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself. I sure hope she likes it!

Didn’t do much else yesterday… I had planned on decorating for fall, but when it came right down to it, I just wasn’t in the mood. *lol* … Then I was going to do it today, but my back has been bothering me all day (we need a new mattress for the bed), so I never got around to it today either… Maybe I’ll get it done before it’s time to decorate for Christmas. *lol*

This morning, at around 5 am, I heard something running through our yard (I had the bedroom window open). It wasn’t human, since you could tell that whatever it was, it was running on all fours. You could also tell that it wasn’t a cat or dog… You could just tell that whatever it was, it was heavy… Naturally, the first thing that popped into my head was that it was the cougar… But… If I am honest with myself, it was probably a deer… We do get a lot of deer up here… From the sound of it, I am pretty sure it had hoofs, and it made this blowing sound, kind of like a horse does… Anyway, it was running away from the street, toward the woods behind the house.

I just keep telling myself that it was a deer.

Well, not much else going on… But before I go, I want to give a quick shout out for fat burner… Night all!

Train Quilt Panel

When I went to get the fabric for the quilt I am making for my friend’s baby, I saw this panel and decided to use that, instead of making a “real” quilt… I just couldn’t resist that train! It’s soooo cute! … Although I think I annoyed the fabric lady at Walmart. You see, it is technically already quilted with a thin batting in-between and another train fabric on the back… But I am going to add a thicker batting, with my own fabric for the back. I like to do this so I can add the ribbon “tags” around the outside of the quilt… Babies love to play with the tags!… Plus, babies need a thicker snuggle blanket than what they did.

Anyway, I cut my ribbons into small strips and started pinning them around the panel, getting ready to sew the tags on with the new batting, when I noticed it…

There is a hole, about the size of a dime, in the middle of the bottom train.

Talk about annoying!

So now I am going to have to take the panel back to Walmart and exchange it for another one… Let’s hope they don’t think I’m the one who put the hole in it!… You do think they will let me exchange it, right? (Please say yes!)

So, there goes my plans to get the quilt done this weekend. *sigh* … Better get to Walmart soon!

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We had a first tonight… Jared babysat his brother and sisters for the first time, while Joe and I went shopping at Walmart… I know, I know… He’s not 12 years old yet, and I guess if we were good parents, we wouldn’t have left them yet… But Jared is almost 12, and to be honest, he’s so responsible that we would have trusted him to babysit for a long time now… Jared is like John Boy on the Waltons. He tends to want to “take care” of the girls, and makes sure everyone is safe and following the rules when they are out playing, or are with Joe’s parents, etc.

Anyway, they all did great. Josh (who was more like a co-babysitter) made them all dinner… Something that Josh LOVES to do. *lol* … By the time we got home the house, as well as the kitchen, was spotless. Jared cleaned the kitchen, and the girls had picked up their doll mess from the living room. Their rooms were clean too.

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Today  I have a bit of an earache, and am starting to get a sore throat.
Reading: “Love Takes Wing” by Janette Oke
It is currently clear and 71º
Today it was partly cloudy, and in the mid 70s

I got the quilt done today! Yay! This one is the one for my cousin’s baby, who is due in 5 short days, so he should be coming any day now!… You never know, she may be in the hospital right now! Anyway, here is the picture of it:

My cousin Lorraine loves cats and dogs. I made their daughter a kitty one, so I thought it would be nice to have a dog one for their son. 

While you are thinking about it, give a quick prayer for Blessed Mama. She is in the hospital right now, giving birth to her second son. I’ve been refreshing her blog all day, as she is having a friend post the news for her… Don’t want to miss out!

Uhg… I think I’m coming down with a cold or something. My ear has been plugged up for a couple days now, and it’s starting to hurt. And in just the last hour or so my throat has started to hurt as well. *sighs* I don’t want to get sick!

OH!!! I got my free 8 X 10 test prints back from WHCC today! (Boy, are they fast!) They look awesome!… They had told me in an Email, that I need to leave a 1/4 inch border, and I see they are right. The edge got cut off just a tad on all of them. So, before I send in any 12 X 12s to be printed, I will give them a small border, so that won’t happen. (If I have anything on the edge) Then I can just trim off any excess white that may show up. The prints do look very beautiful though! Wish I could show them to you. Even Joe seemed impressed!

Well, think I’m going to go take some cold medicine, and maybe get some prints ready to send in to WHCC! Catch ya’ll tomorrow!

Today I feel Fine
Reading: “Love Takes Wing” by Janette Oke
It is currently sunny and 76º

Conversation of the Day: (from yesterday)

Jared: “Mommy! You didn’t even make your bed yet!”
Mommy: “That’s because I’m washing the sheets… What are you, the bed police?”
Jared: “Yes!”

We’ve had a pretty nice day around here today. Joe worked at Target today, and not Crinc, so he was home before 11 o’clock. After visiting for a few, he headed outdoors to start staining the patio cover… Some of the wood they bought was a darker color, so we wanted a dark stain so that everything would match… But we weren’t quite expecting it to be as dark as it is. *sighs* But I think it is lightening up a little as it dries, so I don’t think it’s going to be too bad. Joe got about 1/4 of the way done.

I got some paper scrapping done in the morning, then after taking a shower I worked on the newest quilt some. I now have it about a third of the way tied. I was hoping to get it done today, but Amanda (who had been outside with Joe) wanted to come in, and she needed a bath in a bad way. Then, after her bath I wanted to snuggle with her, and she ended up falling asleep. But instead of putting her to bed, I just let her sleep in my arms… So, needless to say, the quilt didn’t get done. BUT, I am determined to get it done tomorrow, as I want to mail it to my cousin on Friday.

I am almost done with my paper scrapping. I started my digital scrapbook pages with January 1st, as I already had everything through the end of December printed. Once December is done, then I’m going to pack all my scrapbooking things up and put them in storage. (I’m stuck on digital scrapbooking) I am now scrapped through December 14th, so only half a month more to go. I’m hoping to get it done before Amanda’s birthday party, so I can get my scrapbooking table out of the living room.

I got a bunch of digital scrapbook pages done last night. I think I added 12 new layouts. I am now caught up through the end of April!!! Slowly, but surely, I am getting caught up with my scrapbooking.

Did I tell you that Joe and I are officially Sunday School teachers? We were supposed to take over the 0 to 3 year old class next Summer when Grandma and Linda moved to South Dakota. But the teachers for the pre-primary class (4 through K) quit, and they asked us to take over. ACK!!! We did it for the first time last Sunday, and we were AWFUL! We need to seriously get organized! Next Sunday we will be better prepared, as we know more about what we’re supposed to be doing with the older kids. (Too bad Rudy and Crystal are gone, I could have used some help from them… They are born SS leaders!)

Now that we are taking over Josh’s class, he doesn’t want to be promoted at the end of this month. He’s not going to be happy to move out of the class. Both he and a girl named Megan will be moving out, and Alicia will be moving in… Our church is so small, that for the most part, we probably won’t have more than her in class.

Joe got his birthday present a little early… I wasn’t really planning on him getting it early, but it came UPS today while Joe was here, and they didn’t even disguise the box. So Joe was very happy when he answered the door! I got him a boom box from eBay. He’s been wanting another one, as his old one bit the dust. He likes to have music playing when he’s outside.

Well, I have some stuff to do on my site, so I’ll let you go for now! Have a great day!

Today I feel Fine
Reading: “Love Takes Wing” by Janette Oke
Today it was sunny and 85º

Sorry I didn’t post last night. After I was done with a project I was doing, I was so tired I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Plus, I guess I was hoping that if I didn’t post, more people would comment on the last post… *sighs*

Joe has given me permission to print a few of my digital scrapbook layouts at White House Custom Color. This is a place that is actually for photographers, but Blessed Mama told me that they have printed her scrapbook layouts for her. Right now I am trying to get myself signed on as a client. In order to do that, they give you up to 5 free 8 X 10s, to test the color on your monitor (I think)… This is the process I am in right now… Am having trouble, because the Emails with the attachments keep coming back as failed. The lady who Emailed me back said I should try sending them as separate Emails, so that is what I just did.

Since I wanted to see what a scrapbook layout would look like, and I only had 12 X 12 layouts done, I made 5 simple layouts in 8 X 10 to send them. I figure I can frame them and put them on the wall. Anyway, here are the 5 layouts I’m trying to send them:

Which reminds me… Guess what Joe bought me yesterday. He bought me my photoshop program! Woo-hoo!… Of course, Gene called and Joe told him that the copy he made me didn’t work. Gene couldn’t understand that because I guess he uninstalled it, and reinstalled it with the disk he made me, and it worked just fine… He thinks that *I* must have done something wrong. But heck, how hard is it to install a program? I’ve installed MANY, and never had this happen before. I also had no problem installing the new one that Joe bought me… So I have no idea why the disk Gene made me didn’t work.

But I have to be honest.

I am glad it didn’t work… Gene’s was version 2.0, and Joe bought me version 3.0, which is the version my trial was. It would have been hard going to an older version.

So, wasn’t that awesome of Joe!?!?!?!?! I think he was trying to cheer me up, because I’ve been moping over the loss of Rudy, Crystal and the kids. (Makes it sound like they died, instead of just moving away, huh?)

I got some work done on my next quilting project. This one is for my cousin’s baby, who will be making an appearance any day now. He is due on the 16th, but I’m sure he will be early… I really need to get on the ball and finish that quilt! Anyway, I got it completely cut out, and the face about half way done.

Amanda was nice to me today, and let me sew. (A miracle!) At one point, she came to me and said what I thought was, “You’re sewing.” over and over… After listening to her a few times I finally figured out what she was really trying to say… “You’re annoying.” *sighs* Thanks Amanda.

Today I feel  Tired
Reading: “Love Takes Wing” by Janette Oke
Today it was sunny, with a high of 95º

Blessed Mama received the quilt today, so now I can post a picture of it:

I was very happy how this one turned out. I like the colors, which are the colors she is using in her boy’s room. Very nice. I’m glad she likes it.

I’ve been keeping myself busy today. Did some housework (which I had neglected the last couple of days, as I wasn’t feeling too well.), worked on my site a little… Doesn’t sound like much, but I did spent quite a long time on the housework. It’s amazing how quickly things can go downhill when you’re not feeling well, and nobody else does it for you!

It’s really been a quiet, boring day around here. Nothing to report really. The kids played nicely together all day while I was busy, and cleaned their room, and are now in bed.

I don’t know what to blog about.

*shrugs* Guess I’ll go work on some lesson plans. Until next time!

ETA: Thought I’d add a funny, to make this post a little more interesting!

A lady is riding the subway, reading her Bible.

A man sitting next to her, seeming amused, asks her, “You
don’t really believe what they say in there, do you?”

“Every word,” she replied.

“OK,” he asks, “how about the Noah story, the flood, the
animals – do you believe that?”

“Absolutely,” she said.

“What about God creating the universe in six days?”

“All true, I believe every word.”

“What about Jonah – how could a man live for three days in
the belly of a whale?” he asks.

“Yes, I believe that too,” she says.

“Well, how could that be – how did he breathe?”

” I don’t know,” she said. “When I get to Heaven, I’ll ask
him.”

“What if he’s not in Heaven,” the guy asks.

The lady replies, “In that case, you can ask him!”

Today I feel Dandy
Reading: “Love Takes Wind” by Janette Oke
Today is was sunny and 92º

Don’t know that I feel like posting tonight… But feel I must!

Since Joe had the day off work today, he took the boys to VBS, instead of Grandma Johnson picking them up. He took quite a few pictures (too many group shots, and not enough individual ones of the boys, if you ask me!), and he got this video clip for me too…

Got the quilt finished. I will be posting a picture, but not now. I don’t want Blessed Mama to see it until she gets it. (Neener, neener, neener! ) As soon as I get word that she’s received it, I will post the picture… Of course, first I need to take it to the post office!

Was a bit irritated with Amanda’s diapers tonight. We can’t find the ones with sticky tape anymore, so we are dealing with the velcro thing. This evening her diaper must have fallen off at least 3 or 4 times. As hot as it was, I was letting her run around in just a diaper, but I soon gave up and put a onsie on her. It was pretty funny watching her walk across the room with her diaper half hanging off, and her cute little fanny showing.

I’ve gotten some more work done on my digital albums. I have finished the 1st family album, and have started the 2nd one. Just need to start getting them printed, before they start overwhelming me. Anyway, to see the digital album pages, just look WAY down in the sidebar to find the link…

Today I feel Dandy
Reading: “Love Takes Wind” by Janette Oke
Today is was sunny and 92º

Quote of the day: (from yesterday)

Josh: “We got two chocolate chip cookies at church today, and they were very good. But Mommy, they weren’t as good as the ones you make.” Ahhhh

The boys are having so much fun at VBS, doing their soccer camp. Today for some exercise, I guess they had to run around the church… I think I would hate that! Jared seemed to think it was fun, but poor Josh did not. With his week muscles, running is not something he does well. He was very put out that he was the last one. Poor Josh.

Jared made a friend today. A girl. He says she’s cute. (But older! )

Alicia didn’t get upset today when the boys left. I’m glad that she was able to accept it. She and Amanda watched a movie together while I worked on the quilt.

About the quilt. Remember how I said that it was too big, and that I needed more flannel? Well, on Sunday we went to Wal*Mart and I bought a completely different flannel. Found a great one that really matches the front of the quilt. (You’ll remember that I could only find boring solids last time) So I bought a couple yards of that, and went to tie the quilt… I didn’t think about the fact that the batting was too small too! So… I ended up getting my seam ripper out, and took out one of the rows. (So, the original flannel would have fit fine!) I got that done yesterday, and then re-sewed on the border, and I finished tying it today. Now I am about halfway through with hand stitching the back on. Should finish it tomorrow… Then it’s on to the next one!

Amanda is wanting to play with Alicia more and more. This morning she wanted Alicia to go in the girl’s room with her, so she kept calling, “A-yee-sha! Come on! A-yee-sha! Come on!” It was so cute. Alicia just grins and follows her in.

Tonight Jared volunteered to tuck Amanda into bed… Insisted on it actually. It almost brought tears to my eyes, watching him lead her to bed. He was grinning ear to ear, and she was giggling. Daddy and I told her goodnight, and she turned around and yelled, “NIGHT!” and giggled on her way… Then, after tucking her in, Jared comes out beaming, “She said ‘I love you’!”

Today I feel Content
Reading: “Love’s Unfolding Dream” by Janette Oke
Today it was sunny and 80º

We really didn’t do a whole lot today, but thought I’d write a quick post anyway.

Jacob and Jamie spent the night last night, and weren’t picked up until 10:40ish this evening… Which means that my kids are going to be VERY tired tomorrow, and it’s going to be hard to get them up for church. When the twins are here I have a hard time settling the kids for bed. Seems like I go in every 10 minutes or so to tell them to settle down and go to sleep, but they never do until 11 o’clock. Then, you’d think they would sleep longer in the morning, but the twins are up around 6:00-6:30, and they wake the entire household. (They are very loud)… I was so not ready to get up this morning when I heard them!!! *sighs*

Spent some time today doing some more digital scrapbooking. I added 10 more pages to the Johnson Family Album. I am now done with February, and will be starting on March soon.

What I wanted to do was work on the quilt I am making for Blessed Mama’s baby, but it turned out that I made the face of the quilt a little too big, and I don’t have enough flannel for it. So we’re going to have to go to Wal*Mart tomorrow to pick some more up… I need to get my rear in gear and get it done, because I still have one more to make. My cousin is due on the 16th, so I need to get booking.

Well, since my sleep was interrupted this morning, I guess I should head to bed early and try to recapture some of my lost Zs. Have a great one!