It's Done!

It's been a few weeks and my how things change! We got the house! We moved in the weekend of my birthday (Feb 10th) and it was horrendous to go through a move again---but it's over and I'm never moving again for the rest of my life! LOL!

Things didn't go smoothly with the close, of course. The ex wife of the seller decided to cause problems and delays by refusing to sign the offer---which was exactly the same offer she agreed to last fall before other problems occurred. She was just being difficult. We were supposed to close on January 30th and have possession of the house on February 3rd. Scott took time off from work for the week of Feb 4th so we could work on the house before we moved in on the 9th. The ex-wife messed that all up, we didn't end up closing until the 8th, the day before things were all planned out to move. Even after we signed the paperwork, they tried to delay us getting the keys so we could get in and clean before we moved in, but we just called up the seller and asked if he had any problems with us getting the keys before the title transferred---he didn't so we got them right away. We came to the house and cleaned until late that night, got home around 2 am and then had to get up at 7 am to get the truck. By the end of that night, hubby and I could barely even lift a finger, we were so tired. And it just kept going like that all weekend into the beginning of the week. By Wednesday, my back hurt so badly from moving boxes and unpacking that I could barely stand. I took it easy on Thursday and Friday so by Saturday I was feeling more like myself. We still have to finish getting stuff out of the old house and clean it up---we also told the landlord we would paint it for him so he didn't have to worry about doing it. He's been really good to us---when my first husband and I separated and he left me and the kids with nothing, the landlord didn't kick us out when I didn't have the rent. I got a job right away and he let me spread out my missed rent payments over time. He also let me be very late a few times without charging me fees, he's always been real good to us so I figured the least we could do is clean the place up and paint for him. I have to say, I'm not looking forward to it, LOL!

My sewing room needs work. They had carpet in there---but apparently it only went as far as the bed because the floor was bare after they took the bed out! The floors underneath need to be finished or painted. The water valve to the toilet in the bathroom next to my sewing room was loose and leaking so that had come through the floor in the sewing room. Hubby fixed the leak in a split second, now we are drying out the floor. I can't believe the previous owners couldn't have seen that and taken a second to tighten things up. Oh well, it IS a 145 year old house, there are plenty of things that need to be fixed! I don't think my Grace frame is going to fit in the sewing room, I may have to set up a spot in the living room for it---thank goodness the living room is huge! I also need some lighting in the sewing room---right now there are just some wall sconces, they don't even have switches on them! The room is really small, I think it's 8 X 9 so I'll have to really work hard to utilize the space. I told hubby that he is going to build me a big log cabin sewing studio on the property, LOL!

I can't believe how big this house is!!! We had 9 people living in the last house---which was all of 1050 square feet. This house is 2400 sq. ft. and it's very soundproof so I barely hear the boys and their loudness upstairs! Plus, there are only 6 of us now, so there is more space for less people, which is nice. I can actually sit in different areas of the house and have peace and quiet and not have people in my face every minute of the day! Not that I don't adore my family---but I have to say, it is nice to have some quiet time during the day! I have the most wonderful view from my kitchen windows and I love to get up early before everyone else and sit and look out the window. This is a picture out the window before we bought the house.

There are fields and trees out the window and we have some birdfeeders (which need filled and soon!) It's actually a 3 window bay window so it's quite a panoramic view.

I'll post pictures as we do some work around here---there is plenty to do. As for quilting, my sewing room won't be up for a bit but I am itching to get working on my Grace frame, which is still at the old house, :-(

Time to go relax, we have to get back to homeschooling tomorrow, we took a week break and I'm afraid it's going to be hard to get the boys back on track. They don't know tomorrow is a school holiday (President's Day) but since we've had a week off, I'm just going to start back up tomorrow.

I'll check in soon, hopefully I'll have some quilty news happening ASAP!!!

News and quilty whatnot! UPDATED SEE BOTTOM

Oh, I have SO much to tell you all!

First of all, some catch up. Christmas was wonderful. We were able to give the kids a real nice Christmas this year---which felt so great! AND even better, hubby and I were able to give to each other, something we'd never done before because we always wanted to give all to the kids. I was able to spoil him, finally---which was so fun and he deserves it so much!!! I got him an iPod and a stereo to play it on at home. I was able to get him a bunch of woodworking tools that he's had his eye on for quite a while. He has been wanting a shaving brush and soap kit for years, I could never find any in the stores around here so I looked online and found him a real nice set that comes with a badger hair brush and a tin cup filled with soap and a lid for the cup, it's really nice! I also got him some cologne he's been wanting, some country CD's and some books on woodworking. I got him the complete 30 year Mother Earth News on CD---he used to have years of the magazines that he had saved but they were all lost in a move---so now he has them in a more portable container---plus I got him a subscription to Mother Earth, Progressive Farmer, Country Side and Farm and Ranch. Now, reading those titles, you would think we live on a farm. Well, we don't---we live in the suburbs on a lot that isn't even an 1/8th of an acre. BUT NOT FOR LONG!!!

Yes, it is finally happening! We GOT THE HOUSE!!!! It's for real---although I have to keep telling myself this, after all the let-downs we've had over the last 3 years! Our credit is not only fixed, its good enough for us to qualify for a mortgage with a low, low rate! This was the best present hubby and I could ever have gotten---even after such a wonderful Christmas----this tops it all! Wanna see a picture of our new house???? New, old house---it was built in 1865. Click on pics to see larger view.

 

It needs a paint job---I think a nice barn red with cream trim and green shutters and doors.
Here are some pics of the 6 acres.





This is the sky shot, the yellow lines are the borders of the property. The next is the view out of one of the back bedroom windows. The last is just a view of the field behind that little shed. There is also a pole barn on the property and we have a small forest and a creek that runs through it. I cannot wait to move!!!! We should have the particulars on when the close will be and when we get the keys tomorrow or Friday, depending on the availability of the real estate agent.

So, with all that, you'd think that would be more than enough for a great start to the new year---and it really is---but there is more. I still haven't told you what hubby got me for Christmas!!!!

Initially, I had a Keepsake Quilting and a Connecting Threads Christmas with some Ebay stuff thrown in! He got me--it would be easier to just show you---here's a picture--click on it to see a larger view.

Can you believe it? What a wonderful Christmas! He would go into my Ebay and look at what I was watching--and he knew which ones I really liked without even asking, LOL! The other stuff is from Keepsake Quilting and Connecting Threads---he snuck my catalogs when I wasn't looking. I always highlight things I'd like to get throughout the year as money permits---well he got me a bunch all at once, I was shocked! And the sneaky guy had them delivered to his work so I had no idea. Typically, I don't want anything for the holidays, I would honestly rather give and see my family and friends happy---and that has always been the best present for me. I had so much fun getting presents this year, I was so amazed that he did all that! But wait, there is more.

Now, this didn't come until January 10th---he had to wait to save some money but imagine my surprise when the UPS guy knocked on the door with this box!


I was CRYING when I saw the box, I think the UPS guy thought I was nuts, LOL! I never thought I would get one of these, not anytime soon, anyway. This is the Grace Sturdy Lite, I had seen it in the Keepsake Quilting catalog and hubby and I had talked about him possibly making one for me---when we got a bigger house. This is a queen size frame, we had to rearrange our basement bedroom a couple times to find the right spot for it, LOL! I haven't tried it out yet---I have to get some fabric to make leaders for the rails---they need to be 94" long and any fabric I have in 3 yard increments is heavier fabric I use for costuming, I'm thinking it'll be too thick. I need to get some muslim. I can't even fathom buying more fabric after all hubby did for me, I have the best hubby in the world!

Anyway, now that we are moving soon, I'm probably just going to take it down and pack it up for now---well, maybe--maybe not! As those of you who've been following my blog know---I can't machine quilt my way out of a paper bag--well, except for straight lines or in the ditch. That's why hubby got me the Skillbuilder companions for machine quilting---I was going to teach myself how to do it--it's a whole new animal doing it on a quilting frame, I'm kinda scared---but excited, too!!! Oh, and the place he got the frame from not only had it for $50 cheaper---but they threw in a CD of QuiltCAD! I'm not sure how quickly I'll be ready for pantographs and patterns using the stylus, but I'm sure ready to give it all a try! I think this weekend I am going to put the Bernina on the frame and try some free motion quilting, if I could get 2 or three of my smaller tops done before we move, I could tackle the twin size and crib size quilts that have been waiting for the last year to be quilted! Here are pics of my UFO's that have been waiting patiently to be finished:




I've got a lot of work to do! Plus, I have to make my mom a chicken quilt and I have 3 quilts planned for my 3 nieces and my son Jaret wants a quilt, not to mention all the quilts I want to make for me---I hope I can master using the frame soon!

Well, that's it for me today---like I said earlier, we're just waiting to meet with the real estate agent to go out to the property and sign all the papers and get the close date. I'm hoping she is able to meet with us tomorrow, I don't think hubby will last until Friday, LOL!

Have a great week, and a belated Happy New Year to you all!

Updated Wednesday 1/16

We met with the realtor, our close date is January 30th and we get the keys and take possession on February 3rd!!!! Woo hoo, how's that for quick!!! Hubby is gonna take a vacation week starting on the 4th so we can clean and paint and we'll move in on the 9th---the day before my birthday. I don't think I've had such a wonderful birthday present---a new home with my somewhat new hubby and our family---it doesn't get better than this!

Been busy, I swear!!!!

Well, it's finally Christmas break! I kinda wanted to keep the schooling going, the boys and I have finally gotten into a good rhythm with lessons and getting things done---but I can't make them do schoolwork during Christmas break, LOL!!! Baby boo has been extremely "busy" since he turned 2 at the end of October. He does not like when we do schoolwork, because we aren't all paying full attention to him!! I try to sit him at the table with us and give him stuff to do but it only works for a few minutes and then he's climbing onto the table, grabbing books and papers and pencils and running away. He has his own cycle he follows, go bang on the computers---get removed---go climb the gate and ransack the kitchen----get removed and distracted by toys or books---3 minutes later go climb the gate and run up the stairs to ransack the boys' bedroom---get removed and an attempt to divert is successful---for 3 minutes. All the while I am teaching multiplication and division, or reading aloud with the boys about Puritans or Renaissance Italy. It was surely easier when he took 2 naps a day---and took longer naps!!!

So needless to say, we have been very busy. I know I haven't posted since mid-October (I'm sorry, as it is I have to post now in the middle of the night to be uninterrupted, LOL!) I will quickly catch you all up on what we've been up to these past couple of months!



The Boo-boy turned 2 on October 29th and we had a nice party for him. Here he is just tickled pink that everyone is singing to HIM! It's funny because the other kids (at this age) usually cried and hid when everyone sang, but not our fearless Seamus!





Halloween was fun! I made Mario and Luigi costumes for Sean and Jaret. I didn't have time to make anything for Seamus, so I got him a Tigger costume and he was so cute! He was a trooper, he lasted nearly the whole time we were out until he got tired and threw his little body onto someone's driveway and screamed and kicked his legs---until he heard someone yell Trick or Treat, then he was up and running for the next house again, LOL! He went in the stroller for the rest of the trip.









Thanksgiving was at our house this year. The boys and I got the crafty bug (finally!) and we made a bunch of pine cone pilgrims, Native Americans and turkeys! We had a blast and decided that we need to start being crafty again!
Here is the centerpiece I made out of artichokes, green beans and asparagus, with some candles and pinecones thrown in---I saw it in a magazine and thought it would be perfect for my table!
You can kind of see some of the pinecone people. Unfortunately we didn't seem to take any pictures of them and I didn't realize this until I had already packed them up and shipped them to the attic. There is always next year


Here is my centerpiece lit up, so pretty! Simple things thrill me, ok??? hahaha!


Here is the pumpkin Scott carved for the festivities, it was so cool all lit up!


The whole family came over for dinner, I made two turkeys, enough stuffing for an army, lots of festive snacks and we capped it all off with my Aunts' delicious pumpkin pies!

Speaking of my Aunt, her birthday was in October as well and I started a wallhanging for her, I need to quilt it yet, but here it is so far.
My goal for 2008 is to get all my WIP's quilted (or send them out to be quilted!) I have some embroidery embellishments to do on the green leaf but after Christmas I plan to get back to practicing my machine quilting so I can try to quilt this ASAP!








While going through stuff while we were busy packing (for a move that hasn't happened yet and may not---at least for this house that we wanted) I found this pattern by Debbie Mumm which I forgot I had. I wanted to do some sort of Advent calendar this year, but I just never seemed to get around to it. I found an AWESOME blog Called Sunshine's Creations
She has the most beautiful Yo-Yo Advent Calendar pattern with instructions for 24 different ornaments to put on it----this will be my next project (after I get all my quilts quilted!)

We all ventured out on December 5th, in the midst of our first snowstorm, to cut down a Christmas tree. We went out into the country to a cut your own farm and we looked and looked for what seemed to be hours and couldn't find the perfect tree! We were just about to decide to look through the precut trees and all of a sudden a tree was calling my name!!! Scott and I went down a steep hill to check out a bunch of trees and there were 3 good possibilities but they all were forgotten when I found our perfect tree ---finally!!!! He cut it down in a flash and the kids all piled back into the van to warm up while we got it shaken and bundled and Scott meticulously fastened it to the roof of our van. We drove home singing Christmas carols and stopped and got some tacos and had a feast (yes, hot chocolate and tacos do seem to go well together!)

The tree is smaller than our usual size tree, but it is still beautiful. I have some pics but keep in mind, the baby is very often pulling off the garland or taking off ornaments and putting them back on or throwing them---so it looks a little disheavled right now, LOL!

We started to make a popcorn and cranberry garland for it, but we realized that Seamus would probably try to eat it if it were low enough for him to reach---he adores popcorn. So, we just did a couple strands and decided to keep it far away from his eager hands--and mouth!

The crafty bug stayed with the kids and I. We decided to make papier mache' and salt dough ornaments---here is what we came up with:

These are some of mine, sorry the flash is so bright on a few of them!


I have a major thing for Belsnickles and Snowmen!!!

Here are some of Sean's---he's had also gotten quite fond of Belsnickles and snowmen!









Here are Jeremy's---






And Jaret's ornaments--


We've also been busy making cookies and candy for gifts, I'll have pictures of those later.

So, that's what we've been up to these last couple months! I am looking forward to Christmas, I know hubby was looking through my Connecting Threads and Keepsake Quilting catalogs and making note of the things I had (conveniently) highlighted! I'm expecting a quilty Christmas, which to me, is the best kind for me, but the absolute best Christmas is one where our family is all together and happy and healthy---that is the best gift anyone can receive!

I hope your holidays are wonderful! I won't be such a stranger anymore, I promise!

Oh, and Happy Solstice and Merry Yule!

Same old thing

Hiya everyone!

It's been busy here, with schooling the boys, taking care of a soon to be 2 year old and being a housewife, the job never ends until I go to sleep for a few hours and then wake up to start all over again. I did start a quilt for my Aunt for her birthday, it's a fall wall hanging---I'll get pictures up later. All it needs is to be quilted and bound, then it's time to start holiday projects and gifts. Fall is finally here in Northeast Ohio---thank goodness! I hated having to turn the air on in October, but it was so hot a week ago, into the 90's and with baking and cooking the house quickly becomes an oven. We've been looking at another house, since the one we wanted in Ashtabula was sold. We found a wonderful house in Medina. It's a huge old farmhouse, built in 1865, with 6 acres of land! The house is in good shape, they've taken good care of it and the land is right smack dab in the middle of farm country, exactly what we were looking for in our search for the perfect house. Of the 40-50 houses we've looked at so far, this one had everything we've wanted in a house. We made an offer and it was accepted by the owner, except---he has a bitter ex-wife whom he can only comunicate with through her lawyer and she refuses to sign anything so he's going to have to take her to court. Hopefully this won't be a long story, I was hoping to be in before Thanksgiving. Keep your fingers crossed for us, ok???

The eldest teens are moving out on their own. They put money down on an apartment and are now just waiting to be approved. I'm not sure they are ready for this but they do not want to move into the country-at all-so I have to hope that they are fast learners when it comes to living on their own. They don't have any furniture so when we find out if they are approved, I'm gonna have to scour the freecycle ads for living room and dining room stuff and kitchen stuff. We don't have extras here, everything is being used.

It's been a crazy few months here---in August I was diagnosed with untreated post partum depression. With the strain of the house stuff and having the teens move back in and dealing with all the stress, I kinda had a mini breakdown. I'm fine now, the doctor gave me some good meds that got me back to my old self real quick, thank goodness!

My 9 year old was also diagnosed as ADHD. I knew something was up, he has the attention span of a toddler and can be very difficult when it comes to school work and such. We started him on a new ADHD med and it has worked wonders for him! His schoolwork has improved so much, it's a miracle! He feels the difference, too---he told me he was feeling much better. I hate having to use drugs for anything (including my own stuff) but I'll tell ya what---this is so worth it! We are changing how things are done and handled here as well, to help him succeed because helping him isn't just about popping a pill everyday, it's about making changes all around.

I found out my daughter is bulimic---how scary. It just started over the summer, she watches all those top model shows and other things like that and got obsessed with her weight ( she isn't and has never been overweight). I've confronted her a few times about it but she denies it wholeheartedly---but all the evidence is right there and everyone in the house knows she is throwing up all her meals. I took her to the doctor last week, he talked to her alone and asked her a few times about it but she continues to deny it. I'm scared for her. He said that we are going to take it slowly with her as to not scare her off so I just have to hold out for hope that we can break this before she moves out---I do not want to move to the country and leave her here while she is sick.

So, that's what is going on around here. I'll get back to checking in more often, it's just been crazy here and the baby is now in a toddler bed (we couldn't keep him in the crib anymore, he was constantly climbing out!) so we have to blacken the room to get him to sleep so no more computer time at night at my computer, anyway--which is why I have to get the pictures posted later, they are on my computer downstairs!

See ya all soon!

I'm still alive

Hey everyone, I'm sorry I haven't posted in ages, a lot has been going on and since school started (and I home educate my children) I've been going to bed much earlier---I usually posted to my blog in the wee hours of the morning, LOL! I haven't sewn anything in ages---I have to try and get 18 leaf blocks done this weekend for a swap that is coming due in October! I'll update what's been happening here soon, it's been a rough couple of months but we made it through!!!

I'll post soon, promise!!

nothing new, nothing quilty accomplished

It's been a long week. I was going at such a good rate with my snowmen blocks. Then my household started falling apart. My 19 yo daughter was sick one night and needed her mother---of course I was there for her but we were up all night long and by the time I got to sleep, the baby was up a couple hours later.

Next night, the eldest boy was up all night and kept me up as well. No, he wasn't sick---his clock is backwards from working 3rd shift and he tends to stay up all night and he's very noisy. Meanwhile, the baby wasn't feeling well all week---nothing major but a cold was definitely coming on.

Next night, the two eldest teens (18 and 19) kept me up way too late again, late night feasts in the kitchen---I'm sorry, I get cranky and irritated when children cook in the middle of the night, using up my food planned for other meals and creating disaster zones in the kitchen which they don't clean up well.

Next night, the baby has not been eating well this day and he's been real cranky. I give him some Motrin cold and put him down to bed. He wakes up around 3 and he's very feverish. I give him more Motrin but the fever doesn't go down---it's up to nearly 104. We decide to take him to the ER, it's a weekend night and he won't be able to see a doctor until Monday, so if he needs meds I'd rather get him checked right away before things get worse. After 5 1/2 hours in the ER, we are sent home with a diagnoses of an upper respiratory infection (which I knew) no meds needed (which I was thankful for) and instructions to keep doing what I was already doing. We arrived home at 9 am. We slept for a little while, but I had to get up to take care of the other kids---oh and in addition to not having any sleep for 5 nights I am also dealing with a humdinger of a sinus infection myself. I made it through the day and went to bed early---the baby got up a few times in the night so I didn't get many hours of sleep.

Sunday night, the teens are back, making late night feasts and making tons of noise. I got maybe 3 hours of sleep.

Monday, I told them they were no longer allowed to have friends over until all hours nor were they allowed to be making late night feasts in my kitchen. Either eat meals with the family, or wait until morning! If they were to just make a sandwich or something that would be one thing---but their late night munchies have been seriously depleting my food stores. Last night, they swore to be quiet and not make anything in the kitchen---they managed to rile up the dogs by congregating outside with strangers which caused the dogs to bark like crazy and the baby to be awoken--he was up for 3 hours, until 3:30 am. Then one decides they are going to make themselves a quick snack---the others decided they want one too so it turns out to be another late night feast. I finally got to sleep again around 5, then the storm of the year passes through starting around 8 and it lasted quite a while, waking up all the children. Another sleepless night.

Tonight, I can't get to sleep---I've been trying for hours and it's not working. I read until my eyelids fell and the magazine fell out of my hand. Then I woke up. I watched TV---boring TV and fell asleep---and woke up again. I have been catching up on email, hoping that would tire me out---no deal. After I am done here I'm going to go take a warm shower and hope that helps.

The teenagers didn't come here tonight, I think they finally learned. Don't get me wrong, I love having my kids around---but when they are getting home at 4, 5 AM, bringing friends over, cooking meals, walking up and down the creaky stairs loudly, dropping things on the floor constantly (my room is in the basement) and letting the dogs and cats get all riled up---there is only so much a loving, sleepless mother can take. It's time for tough love, baby!!!

I'm done.

Nothing new with the house---still waiting for all the credit agencies to report our payments to the reporting agencies and rescore our credit.

I am so tired, now. I think I am just going to go to bed now and hopefully sleep. Maybe this dark, venting post will be my release and I'll be able to let go and relax. Let's hope so, for EVERYONES sake, LOL!

Sorry so blah, hopefully some good stuff next week!!!

Kinda tagged for a meme

Here is one from Melzie

1. Name someone who made you smile today?

Seamus and Sean playing this morning

2. What were you doing at 8:00 this morning?

still sleeping

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?

prepping a chicken for beer butt chicken

4. Name something that happened to you in 1992?

I had Jeremy in 1992

5. When is your birthday?

Feb. 10

6. Four words to explain why you last threw up

um, don't remember why

7. What color is your hairbrush?
it's blue and green and white

8. What was the last thing you bought?

HARRY POTTER and the Deathly Hallows

9. Where do you keep your money?

the rare times I have any, I keep it in my pocket or my purse or the bank

10. What was the weather like today?

hot, hazy and stormy

11. Where did your last hug take place?

last one, when DH got home from work an hour ago

12. What are you excited about?

we may be buying a house soon

13. Do you want to cut your hair?

sometimes, not today

14. Are you over the age of 25?

way

15. Do you talk a lot?

sometimes, depends on who I'm talking to

16. Do you watch The O.C.?
ewwwww

17. Does your screen name have an "x" in it?

nopers

18. Do you know anyone named Kelsey?

nope

19. Do you make up your own words?
I used to when I was younger

20. Are you ticklish?

unfortunately

21. Are you typically a jealous person?

rarely

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter "C".
Catrina

23. Who's the last person to call you?

My mom

24. Do you chew on your straws?
yes

25. Do you have curly hair?

when I don't straighten it

26. What is the next concert you're going to?

hopefully Brad Paisley

27.Where did you go today?

downtown Cleveland to drop the kids off at the Tower City Ampitheater for some
huge concert

28. What is something you say a lot?

because I said so

29. Have you seen the movie 'Donnie Darko'?

yes, it was weird and funny

30. Do you have to work tomorrow?

I work everyday around the house

31. Who was the last person you said "I love you" to?

Seamus

32. What should you be doing right now?

nothing, just chilling out while the beer butt chicken cooks, soon I'll have to cut up and
cook the potatoes

33. Do you have a nickname?

Marsaili or Mars

34. Are you a heavy sleeper?

not at all

35. What are you listening to?

Gretchen Wilson, I don't feel like loving you today

36. What is the best movie you've seen in the past two week?

none

37. Is there anyone you like right now?

sure, I like a lot of people!!!

38. When was the last time you did the dishes?

2 hours ago

39. Did you cry today?

almost, when I got home from taking the kids downtown---I completely lost my brakes and
I kept it together on the road but once I got the baby in the house, I kinda lost it for a minute and then got myself back together, LOL!