HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Happy Halloween, everyone. I have the Halloween lights, lighted pumpkin and candy ready for any trick-or-treaters that might show up. I think I'll give out handfuls of candy just so there won't be any left in the house. I'm not crazy about having so much sugar around. I've been thinking about when I use to make my kids there costumes and how excited we all use to get. The picture you see above is of my two older ones back in the 80's when Yoda was popular and there was an Ernie wearing pajamas. I made the clown outfit and boy did I have a time making that wig.My son still has that Ernie and is in a safe place in his room. Yesterday, I was sent to another school to sub for a server who didn't show up and I hated that school. The lights were dim, the lay out was weird and none of the workers were talking to one another. I was actually bored without Crazy and Slacker around. LOL! The school serves 300 kids and the one I work in serves 550. One of the entrees was Popcorn Chicken and oh my gosh most of those kids wanted double servings. You teachers out there, be nice to your cafeteria workers .Yesterday I was talking to a worker at the school where I subed and she said she worked there because her husband had passed away and she had to provide insurance for her son who was 21 and already an amputee due to diabetes. She liked the fact that she was able to get out early and go check on him. Made me count my blessings that's for sure. I will now go sit and watch all of the Halloween movies.

Candy Shopping

I finally went shopping for some Halloween candy and decorations on Friday. I don't usually decorate but there are so many kids living on this street that go to the school where I work that my hubby convinced me to decorate the front porch. I just moved the patio bench to the front porch and sat two scare crows on each side then sat a huge plastic pumpkin next to the bench. I know it's not much but believe me that's more than what I do on any Halloween. I did decorate when my boys were young but now that there are no more kiddos in the house I no longer do. When the neighborhood kids get off the bus they actually stop in front of my house in the middle of the street, and call out for me. Those crazy kids. They're stalking me. LOL! I didn't do much quilting at all yesterday but will today for sure. I'm beginning to get impatient with my quilting. My son, Chris, just informed me that he will be done with studying on the 18th of December and will be coming home for the holidays on the 19th, his birthday. He will be home for 3 weeks and I'm so happy. I'm glad he'll be home for his BD and Christmas. My son in CA isn't sure if he'll be able to get away from work. I really miss that boy. He hasn't been home for Christmas in two years.

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Quilted Block

This is how I'm quilting the Star quilt. I am quilting 1/2 inch away from every seam. Some of you are probably wondering why I am quilting such a small space in the small triangles, and the reason is that's just how it came out when I was measuring 1/2 inch from the seams. I know it looks a little weird especially to a quilter but that's just the way it is. I was thinking about quilting around every star but if I did that there is no way I can be finished by Christmas and besides I think it looks OK. The reason I went with the 1/2 inch instead of the 1/4 is that not all the seams go in the same direction and I didn't want to have trouble quilting through those bumpy seams. I am on my fourth row right now so I have six more to go. I think I'll be done for Christmas. The job is going well, I am actually gaining strength in my arms. HA! Thursday we served Pizza, Sloppy Joes and Steak Fingers. Well, when I was getting ready to serve I asked where the buns for the Joes were and the 25 year old, assistant manager in training, freaked out screaming, "The buns, where are the freakin buns, oh my gosh, we have no freakin buns, oh man, I'm dead meat!" She had to call the manager who was at another school to bring some buns, so the manager drives back like a lunatic to deliver the buns. I tell you it gets hectic in that cafeteria. What can you do when the delivery truck doesn't deliver the buns. Friday, this crazy girl fell over the big box of styrofoam trays in front of all the kids. One kid told her, "There, that's what you get." It took everything in me not to laugh. Another thing, every time a teacher places an order for tuna salad I have open up a big can of tuna, which makes a lot of tuna. Well, yesterday, the teacher who ordered it decided she didn't want to eat at school and didn't even pick it up. Augh!!!!!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It's been raining for two days straight. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow morning because I hate to drive when it rains. My two Chi's were in their beds all day. I wonder if they think they will get wet if they get out of bed. My backyard is flooded,so, hopefully my roses will get a boost. HA! I am still working on the star quilt but not as fast as I should be if I want to finish it by Christmas. Augh!! I can only quilt as fast as my fingers and time allow me. I'm feeling the pressure of the holidays. My son, Chris, just informed me he will be coming home for three weeks before he goes to the Yucatan. I am so happy! I can't wait to see him again. He enjoyed his visit with his brother in LA. My oldest took him to a media party and meeting, and thought that was pretty cool. Oh, I think everyone in my neighborhood knows where I work now. I pass the bus stop on my way to work and there are always a bunch of kids there. They all go to the school where I work, so, every time I stop at the stop sign they all yell,"Hi, lunch lady, see you at school, bye lunch lady." That puts a smile on my face everyday. It's pretty funny .

Yard Work Today

I am quilting every chance I get. I am able to complete one row of stars per week, so, I figured I should be able to finish it for Christmas to give to my son in CA. I am happy to report the waves you see on each block in the picture are coming out as I quilt. Today, I was going to get my hair cut but the lady who cuts my hair was doing a perm and I didn't stick around till she finished. I just came back home and attacked the back yard, it was like a jungle out there. No kidding! I trimmed my rose bushes, bouganvilla, everything that has thorns, and boy do I have evidence of that on my body. I was so tired afterwards. Hubby did the picking up of the branches and throwing them away. I fed my roses, so, hopefully they will bloom again at least two more times before any freezing weather. They are really enjoying this cooler weather right now. Hubby and I just sat on the couch and every time either of us got up my son could hear us. We hurt everywhere. I told our 18 year old he would have to help us get up when we got older and he said he would attach ropes in front of the couch so we could grab and get up. That stinker. My husband wants a fanny lifter type of chair. Heck, I don't have to get up. HA! Chris, my son who is going to school in Arizona is visiting with his brother in CA, he took his roommate who is from France with him. I'm so glad my boys are spending time together since they probably won't see each other again till after Chris is done with college. I sure do miss my big boys. My oldest in CA lives with his girlfriend and she decided to stay with friends so the guys could have the apartment to themselves. I think that was very thoughtful.

Quilt On Frame

The Folk Star quilt is finally on the quilting frame. The frame is one that my hubby built for me many, many years ago, and I love it. It has crayon marks from my kids when they were young and dog teeth marks on the lower legs from when my doggies were teething. It actually looks funny with so much history on it, but it's still very sturdy. I will start the quilting process today as yesterday I was pretty wiped out from the basting. I do all my quilting in the living room since it's the room with the most light and I like looking outside towards the street. Some blocks have some waves that bother the heck out of me but I was in no frame of mind to do them over, I know I will manage to quilt them out. Hubby and son had to roll it on to the frame three times before I was certain it was straight. Yesterday, hubby and I did go into Houston to one of my favorite little shops, Lucia's Garden, she has the best stuff, stuff you can't find at the mall or anywhere else. I bought a CD, wind chime, patchouli plant, and some herbs. Will have to go back for the Christmas open house in November. Oh, I temporarily covered the cushion to the bench/chest my hubby made for me, that will have to do until I make a cover for it. Now, to my quilting.