Hives

Yesterday coming home from the airport I was a bit itchy. I took a shower and thought that was it. But, in the late afternoon, I had to take off my bra. The back band and the sholder staps (and the girls) were all red and itchy.

I tried to sleep last night, but I spent hours just scratching. I have decided that something happened in my load of white laundry. I hope that is is.

So today, I have all my whites in the washer. I have new soap. All Free. #1 recommended by dermatologists. I took a Zyrtac (well the Walmart version) and I hope I can stand to be in my skin today.

Today, if you look at my skin, you would think I have a sunburn. My whole trunk, the insides of my arms to my wrists, my inner thighs marching down to my knees, all my back.

Enough of the icky, time to go find the silver lining. That or just lay on the couch.

The quilt

 

Debbie reminded me that her quilt is a Christmas present. She is getting it done early. Mine was a Christmas present -- notice the past tense. I'm way behind.

Anyway, I cannot post her quilt because the recipients of her quilt will probably check my blog at some time before Christmas.

I am sorry for the tease. I can email pictures if any are interested enough.

Time for quilting

My sister is up from Utah. Yea!

Yesterday we had looked at the project long enough. It had been sitting on the floor since Sunday night. I set her to work pressing all the blocks. (Blocks always look better when they've had a good pressing.) She had 42 log cabin blocks laid out. We moved a few of them Sunday night. Trying to spread out the fabulous green. Two extra blocks will end up on the back.

She does a great job. She is working without a quarter inch foot. This is the most complicated block she has done to date. The most pieces and the most seams. Starting with a 4 inch middle square and 4 one inch logs on each side. The only problem, some of the one inch logs were not quite one inch. So I shaved each block to 11.5 inches. (Well, I have two more rows of six waiting for me.)

When Karly came for dinner, we showed her the quilt and I noticed 4 blocks were not right. I set her to unpicking. When Craig called I told him I made my sister cry. She didn't really, but sewing was no longer fun. :(

So with the 4 blocks sewn in on one side the right way, we are looking at a fresh day. The sewing machine has new thread (We finished a 1200 yard spool yesterday. A new trophy for me to horde until I decide space is more important than keeping empty spools.) Yesterday's frustrations have melted away and it is a new day to sew.

When we have it all put together I'll post a fabulous picture. Another fun day with my sister.

From Boaz

Craig is at a work convention for a few days. He left on Saturday.

Our Church starts at 12:30. So we have long Sunday mornings. The boys are addicted to the television. So Sunday morning I said they could not turn the TV on.

I made scrambled eggs for breakfast, and there was a small shell in Boaz's portion.

I'm not sure how, but there was no hot water for Boaz's bath. (I do love long, hot showers, but there should have been hot water.)

The boys did not want to get their white shirts on.

Boaz told me, "It's better when Daddy is here." I was just not doing a good enough job for him. Honestly, I think it's better when Daddy is here too.

Field trip

I forgot my camera.

I was in charge of 5 kids. Three girls and two boys. They all did a good job of staying with me. I was grateful for that.

We went to the County museum and the gem and rock fair. Josh was very excited. He wanted to buy some agates and opals. He ended up buying a shark tooth necklace and a blue marble rock. I paid for him to pan for gold. He now has a little baggie with a few flecks of real gold that he panned, with a little help from some friends. :)

I had fun seeing the old quilts, the native american tools, the old cars, the old guns, the old kitchen, the old school room. You know, for a little county museum, we have a lot of cool stuff. I'm going to have to go back when I can browse at my own pace.

The rock and gem fair was fantastic. Lots of booths with lots of rocks and crafts. But watching my boy pan for gold was amazing. I do with I had remembered my camera. :)

The concrete curb won

Craig took the 11 year old scouts on a camp out. He took our boys too. They were very excited to be able to go. Of course, there was the gathering at the Church. Craig was talking to parents bringing kids, and Josh went off to play. He came back after he fell and landed on his nose.

I saw him the next morning, after it had had time to swell. Josh, as you can see, is not happy about having his picture taken.

He is tired of answering questions. It's impossible to hid his face. He dealt with Church yesterday, and today he is at school dealing with the questions there. The purples and yellows show he is healing. Hopefully he will be healed enough to go to swimming lessons next Saturday. He missed the first session this past Saturday.

 

After about 12 hours

 

At day 4, heading to school. I told him scars are cool and the boys will respect that. The black eye is just drainage from his decreasing nose.

Family Home Evening idea

Craig had a great idea for FHE. We passed around a golf ball (of course) and each person took turns remembering what we liked about General Conference.

It was fun and surprising what the boys shared. Josh showed that he really paid attention. Boaz had a harder time and the last few turns said "I have nothing."

We remembered the music. The cowboy who went back to get the calves and had to enlist the help of the mothers. The programs between sessions and after, esp the MoTab at Red Rocks. All the talks about family and parenting. Craig's reporting of Priesthood session. Elder Nelson's pictures of "sweet Ruby" and her mother and grandmother. Getting to listen to President Monson.

As I try and recapture the moment, I know I have lost a lot. Our collective memories are much better than my individual effort.

I hopped over to the Church website for some help. Seeing the names did help, but the written posts are not up yet. I am excited for them to post so I can remember the good counsel from these modern-day friends of Christ.

I love General Conference. I love our tradition of cinnamon rolls. I love having the words of Life and Salvation fill our home. I love being able to sustain the General Authorities. I love the feelings of hope and peace and faith that blanket my soul. I love the sweet and powerful music that fills our walls. I love General Conference.