Ran into a Reformer

I ran into an old reformer today in Walmart. She came up to me. She was clearly uncomfortable. Why she came up to me I'll never know. Actually, she was always uncomfortable so I guess it is likely par for the course for her.

Anyway, I was like HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (very UN-reformer who are normally or at least in this last group, very sedate)
I know I took her aback but I didn't care. I always liked this woman. Even if she was the most repressed woman I ever met. Lol

We chatted for a second and I mentioned that Jeff and I had emailed her husband on a business question (potential business for him) but hadn't heard back.
She got a bit flustered and went on and on saying he was not in the habit of not returning calls which was TOTALLY not what I meant.

I mean, I think she thought I was calling him down on it instead of just making conversation but once you get a reformer on the apology train, forget it. Lol

No seriously, I just was totally open with her and she could not take it. It is confusing to me and one reason why we left our old church. Does the phrase stick up the b**t mean anything to you?????

SHEESH! So of course, I had to paint it red and when she somewhat accusingly asked where I went to church (me reading it as her assuming I was now on Hell row, shooting heroin or WORSE in a NON-DENOMINATIONAL church) I answered her.

CCOTL says I. Their teaching is more on our level and that we were likely considered the conservatives ones there. Ha Ha and all that. (since I assumed we must have been considered liberal there, especially after we LEFT)

Anyway, just thought it was funny!

Closing for awhile...

I think I am going to shut down for awhile...the blog is currently just one more thing I don't need.

I clicked on a link from a commenter on one of the blogs yesterday to someone I did not know and she was following like 40 blogs.

I thought, here is this Godly woman and she has time to follow all of these blogs?

No. That is one waste of time.

I cannot keep up with all of yours normally so I do not feel like blogging is a waste of my time at all. I just need to know it is not there to tend to.

I am sure I will be back sometime in the future.

Blessings to all. I will shut down later tonight so anyone who does not read this and asks you, feel free to tell I am on winter break! :)

Friends and Runny Noses

Cheryl left yesteray (boohoo)
We had a good time but was suprised to see so few of you at the Renn. Faire!
I was happy to see Amy and even dear M!
I thought everyone was going...lol lame me.
I have to admit I was disappointed this year even though it was bigger...and was a tad embarassed at having drug her butt up here for that. UGH.

Cheryl is very arts and crafty (unlike ME) and has an amazing etsy account that you all should go check out and buy a set of her gorgeous fabric coasters for everyone you know for Christmas. If someone would EVER tell me how to put an embedded link in here I would link you to it but since no one will....I will have to let Cheryl link you there on a comment.

ANYhoo...she should have come up for the craft fair LAST weekend. DUH.

We had fun though...and stayed up until 2:30 on Friday night. NOw you all know me and my sleeping patterns (that's weird isn't it? Go blogging.) so staying up until 2:30 to me is the equivalent of doing thirty shots of tequila and then hoping to be up at 5 to go to the gym. In other words, Sat morning I wish someone would have just put me out of my misery. Poor Cheryl.

Thankfully, we have HISTORY so I did not feel the need to pretend I felt well though common courtesy should have dictated that I should have. (sorry C)
With a bit of a second wind, we made it down to Mount Dora for a quick walk around and then poof, she was gone.

I wanted her to meet all of you! Maybe next time we will do a desert as TIf suggested.

I am going to miss beloved church this morning which is nearly unbearable to me but we had a plumbing emergency in Vero yesterday so on top of everything, Jeff had to off there yesterday to deal so that leaves me with sick kids, a messy house and that deep, never ending desire to have my old life back.
Yep, I guess the mountain top experience is over. Lol
Yet will I praise His name!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Cheryl! (aka chewhi)

with beautiful daughter Ann!

We'll see you all at the Renaissance Festival!

Fabric Gift Bag Instructions

Easy Gift Bags!

Quick and easy! Stitch the seams, hem the top, attach ribbon in the back. Then just tie the ribbon and you have your beautiful giftbag! Sizes small, medium and large.

Add your own trimmings and create your own look. These make wonderful gifts themselves, or use them to present your gifts in.

Supplies Required:

Small Bag: 1 yard of 45" fabric will make 3 small bags.
Medium Bag: 1.25 yards of 45" fabric will make 3 medium bags.
Large Bag: 1.5 yards of 45" fabric will make 3 large bags.

Bag Sizes (not including the hemmed area above the ribbon)
Small: 9" x 9"
Medium: 9" wide x 12" tall
Large: 9" wide x 15" tall

Thread (to match background or ribbon - it really won't show under the ribbon so thread color is not too important)

1.5 yards of Ribbon per bag (for ties)
Optional: Ribbon, lace, etc. for trim

Sewing Supplies: scissors, quilting pins, large sewing ruler, fabric marking pencils, seam ripper, pins

Note: all seams are 1/4 inch. Always iron between steps.

Now you are ready to start!

Pattern Pieces

First, cut out your pattern pieces. (Wax paper works well)

Small Bag: Cut 1 piece 13.5" x 34" (fold over)
Medium Bag: Cut 2 pieces, each 13.5" x 20.25"; label one FRONT and one BACK
Large Bag: Cut 2 pieces, each 13.5" x 23.25"; label one FRONT and one BACK

1. Zig-zag around all pieces (if serging, serge the two short ends of each piece, or serge around top of bag after sides are sewn).

2. For the small bag: Fold each bag right sides together, across a pre-made fold line. Sew 1/4" sideseams.
For the medium and large bags, sew the front to the back, right sides together, along each side and across the bottom.

3. To make mitered corners on the bottom of the bag, pull out the sides of the bag, on both sides of the side seam (pulling out the little points). Measure and mark the miter line 2" up from the point, perpendicular to the side seam. Stitch along this line. Trim close to the stitched line. Repeat on the other side of the bag. This easy method of mitered corners can be used for pillows, and any place that calls for a mitered corner.

4. Fold under the top edge of the bag, making a 3" hem (4" on large bag). Press. Stitch hem.

5. Turn bag right side out.

6. Lay bag so that the back is face up. Mark the bag in the center, on the hem stitch line. Mark center of ribbon length. Pin the ribbon to the bag, matching centers. Pin the ribbon so that its upper edge covers the stitch line on the bag. Stitch a vertical line across the ribbon, to hold it to the bag. Stitch again, to be sure you have a strong line of stitching.

7. Tie the ribbon around the bag. You can easily re-use this bag many times. Simply tie and untie. The ribbon is securely sewn, so it won't get lost from the bag.

Tie knots in the ends of the ribbon to keep it from ravelling.

Optional Trim: Add buttons, applique, bows etc.

This is a LOT easier than all these directions! But the directions are easy enough and if followed will make for a prettier and more professional bag! I likely will just wing it until M gets ahold of me. Lol

I will post them as we make them.

Come on board! Grab your old fabric and make some bags!

Four little bears

When I was serving up dinner last night, this reminded me of the three little bears story. Lol I sure do love my four little bears.

Our New President!

And in the very wise words of 11 year old Jane Hacic...

"Shouldn't we just hope whoever wins does a good job?"

Encourage your family and join our country now and in the next four years in a prayer for our new president, his family and our country.

God places the authorities and we are to respect them!

Fear not, sayeth the Lord!