So, my 64th birthday came and went and now I am on the year long countdown to 65. 65 means several things, but one of the most meaningful for me, is being eligible for medicare and not having to spend almost $1,000 a month for health insurance for me and John. My bill, which would be lower yet if I wasn’t paying premiums for our supplement for both of us, will be about 1/2 of what it is now. February, March and April of 2021 will be about $250 less and then when John becomes medicare eligible in May, my medicare and the supplement (our current coverage becomes the supplement when we turn 65) for both of us will be about half of what I pay now. Now, by the time I pay insurance and allow a little to “run on” which equates to offering for church, any eating out that I do without John, etc., there isn’t a whole lot left and I really need to work on paying off my credit card balance.

On a quilting note, I finished two more “charity” (small” quilts) and have a large quilt ready to load on the frame to quilt for Jeremy. It is a Tetris panel and squares added to make a queenish size quilt. Since he is a single (divorced) man, I need to get this done so it can be “grandfathered” in when he gets into another relationship. Will post pictures when I get Tetris done. The 5″ squares that are on all sides of a panel and in those squares are the shapes of the Tetris pieces. I will do some ruler work on the Tetris pieces and an edge to edge pattern which is meander with squares.

This evening I have to attend a local caucus meeting where I will have 3 minutes to tell 13 precinct people why they should appoint me to fill one of two openings on the Washington Township Advisory board. There are either 8 or 9 vying for the positions, should be interesting. I submitted necessary paperwork last week and just found out earlier today that I not only need to be at the meeting but will have an opportunity to “sell myself”. Will let you know how it goes. I’m sure my daddy will be there in spirit.

So, two weeks from yesterday is my (our) birthday. We will be 64. As I was writing my whopping check for health insurance for February of 2020, I was thinking 12 more at this amount and then the price will drop some and then some more when it is time to write the May 2021 check. John won’t turn 65 until May. Since we retired at 62, I have carried health insurance on us through my employer, as it was better insurance and a cheaper (much cheaper for John he says) than if he had kept insurance from his employer. So, with him turning 65, his medicare coming out his social security and our health coverage becoming our supplement, I will really feel like I’m rolling in the dough, even though my income really dropped when I retired, where John’s monthly income stayed about the same. It really hurts to write a check for almost $1,000.00 a month for health insurance. The other reason why this is on my mind is that I have been thinking about applying for a part time job. Probably won’t, don’t know what will happen with my Mom down the road and even a part time job would really cut into my quilting time.

Speaking of quilting. I need to get my machine cleaned, oiled and ready to stitch. I have batting now for charity quilts and I have two more panels that would be good for little boy quilts that I want to get on the frame and quilted. Have been working on cutting out for a big quilt which I’m not sure of completion date for that. I also am working on laying out a Tetris quilt for my youngest son. Since he is a single man (divorced) he can have a Tetris on his bed if he wants and “he wants”. So, hope to have it together by the end of next week so it can go on the frame and be quilted. I volunteered to quilt charity quilts for the guild, and am probably getting some tops from another source, so I may have to “schedule” time to quilt my stuff. We shall see.

Oh, my other project for 4 weeks from now, is I think I am going to a “hand quilting” workshop by Corey Yoder. Love her fabrics and I need to put together a small quilt sandwich 12×18 (mine may be more like 18×18) for her workshop. This is my birthday gift from myself (and maybe John since he usually gives me money for by birthday).

That’s all the newsy news for now. More later.

It is January 17, twice in the same month and month is only about 1/2 way over, not too shabby, not great, but certainly could be worse. It has been a rather non-sensational month so far. Quilting, piecing, reading, taking care of my mom. This week, it has all been on me and my youngest sister as Mommy’s friend, Bert has been gone to FL (lucky duck). I so wanted to go spend a week to ten days with Volitta this month, however, can’t really justify spending the money, and would have had to have gone after this weekend (when Bert and Chuck return) as she took Tammy with her and there wasn’t room while she had other visitors. With my luck, if I had bought a plane ticket, the weather would have probably turned to crap. They have had really nice weather this first 17 days of the month they are going to be there. The other reason why I decided not to go is because Tammy is along. When I went 2 years ago (right before I retired) I told her that being retired, it was really going to be hard to justify spending the funds to go, when John and I wanted to travel (not that we have got to do much because of my Mom and his Dad). Anywho, it is what it is and I chose not to buy the plane ticket when they were still somewhat affordable. I think John is trying to keep me at bay by saying we could probably go to PCB for a week in May, we will see. I have put Sharon on notice that we are likely to be gone so she can come and take care of the Madre.

I have been working on several new projects, including a 3 of the 12 blocks of the month for the guild, 3 house blocks for another charity guild project and I worked up two panels which will be donated that the meeting next week (see pictures below). I have a panel for Raeden on the frame now and have two more passes and it will be done. When I went with several of the guild ladies to a special sale late last month, I told the ones in the vehicle I was in that I would do charity quilting for free, mainly for practice. I was asked about doing it for hire, but just am not comfortable doing that yet, we will see. I can only produce a small number of quilts to be quilted each month, and hate to see the frame empty. I also need to cut on fabric for the almost king size quilt I will be making for John’s nephew and fiance. So, when I need a break from longarming, I can piece together the top for them.

So, it seems that I ended up with three of these panels and some yardage besides. I worked up two just as they were, the third one I will eventually make into a quilt for Aria, as I used the companion fabric to make curtains for her bedroom window. I also have two “boy” panels, but need to wait until I get batting from the guild before I can turn those into quilts (hopefully before the February guild meeting). I also have one more red, white and blue panel and some squares to add to the size, if anyone brings me a smaller quilt to quilt for charity quilts. I will make my wishes for tops known at the guild meeting, or put it in the newsletter for next month.

When I went to my Mom’s this morning to do her meds, I received a pleasant surprise. Back a dozen years ago or so, I bought my daddy a set of Rice Krispie vintage remake bowls from the Longaberger shop in Dresden. I was there on a bus trip, and I think I gave them to him for Christmas. Daddy ate Rice Krispie Cereal every day for breakfast. I had been looking for them since he passed 8 and a half years go. This morning, one of them was in the dish drainer and I told Mommy that I had kind of been looking for them since Daddy passed, she got the mate from the cabinet. I had asked her about them about a year ago or so and she brought out some that had been around since the grandkids were young, but couldn’t find the ones I bought. They are now in my hutch! Welcome home, Snap, Crackle and Pop!

Will try to get back here before the month is over for another post and hopefully, more completed project pictures. Til then………..

Was thinking about 2020 last night and no, I didn’t make last minute resolutions — did make a crock pot of chili cheese dip, which is kind of a tradition. However, 2 pounds of ground beef, 2 cans of chili with no beans, 2 pounds of Velveeta is 2 much (way too much) for 2 people. But is a tradition. Back to my cusp of the New Year thoughts. I was feeling rather sad, as most of the New Year’s over the last decade have seen me in Florida for a week, two weeks and a couple of years ago, a whole month (except for the 4 days back home for my brother-in-laws funeral). Really, really am missing the beach, however, 2 years ago when I was down there, it was really (really) cold an it just isn’t as therapeutic as high 70s, low 80s, sunshiny days we have been at the beach in May and September. We were at the beach (PCB) in May of 2018, right after we both retired – me the end of February and John the end of April but haven’t been back because of either money or taking care of parents. First my Mom, with her dementia and the guardianship hearing happened last May and then John’s Dad fell and broke his hip in late July. 2019 wasn’t the best of years, to say the least, however, I try to be a glass half full person, and I am certain it could have been worse. I’m rambling again, however, that was one of my looking at the start of a new decade thoughts, the other was, I will be 64 years old in a little over a month. WOW, 64 and how is that possible. Only 13 1/2 more months paying almost a thousand dollars a month for insurance. Then a couple more months paying for coverage for John and then I should only be paying less than $400 a month for the two of us for our supplement. Of course, that doesn’t include prescription coverage but at least that and my medicare will only be mine, not mine and John’s too. I won’t know what to do with all that money (LMAO).

John’s brother and his wife will be in Martinsville on Friday evening and will be here through Monday. They will head back to MN on Tuesday morning. That means 3 full days of spending most my time over at FILs house (I assume). I want to ask them about George and giving John a break in May so we can go to the beach, however, it really isn’t my place to ask and don’t imagine John would consider that to be appropriate. Sharon can always come over and stay here and do my medication runs with VA but I’m not sure John will consider a trip like that until they (my Mom, his Dad) are either gone or in nursing homes.

Well, that’s my random thoughts for today. I have a couple of quilt panels to put on the frame and as soon as I get them quilted, need to get my block of the month(s) done before the guild meeting on the 21st. I have volunteered to do some charity long arm quilting and that may (or may not) lead to doing some quilting for hire. I anticipate my very part time transcription job will be gearing up and then winding to a close in 2020 as JPT is moving to FL (lucky duck!!!).

More later, but not too much later in 2020.

This is my husband’s favorite day of the year, guess that makes him a scrooge. Can’t say that he “hates” Christmas, but it certainly isn’t one of his favorite days of the year. The non-stop commercials attempting to sell expensive new cars certainly don’t help.

Since I wasn’t on here yesterday, I just have to say, Merry Christmas, One Day Late. I have really mixed feelings about Christmas, however, it was my Daddy’s favorite holiday, he LOVED Christmas, the tree, the decorations, all kinds of special lights for the tree, the family being together, you name it, he love it. So, it certainly puts a bittersweet twist on the day for me. Can’t believe he has been gone for 8 years.

Everyone was here yesterday, all the kids, outlaws, grands plus John’s Dad and my Mom. While Daddy has been gone for 8 years, John’s Mom has only been gone a couple of years, since she died almost a couple of weeks before Christmas, then this is the 3rd Christmas that she has been gone. They (George and Mary Lou quit celebrating Christmas quite a few years ago, George still doesn’t care to “celebrate” but does seem to enjoy being here when all our kids are here. I got him a little gift and John said I shouldn’t have because he didn’t like gifts. When I gave it to him I said, this is something I would have gotten for my Daddy for Christmas if he was still here. It was a set of hankys, I always get John a set from Kohl’s, they have a box set and they are prints instead of just plain white. John said I did good, as George’s supply are getting very, very thread bare.

Getting ready to put a couple of panels on the quilting frame. They are identical and will both be charity quilts and I shouldn’t have any issues getting them done before the guild meeting on the 14th. I was thinking I would try to get 4 done but I only have enough batting from the guild for 2, will have to get some for another couple to be done and donated the next month. I am going with several ladies from the guild to Washington IN to the Stitching Post for an early day of their big end/first of the year sale. I’m not in the market for anything “specific” but am sure I will find something to buy.

Not sure if I posted these or not, the red truck panel went to a friend and the two babydoll quilts were for a craft fair. I also did a Christmas Tree panel, which I apparently haven’t downloaded yet. It was a vintage one that my daughter asked me to quilt and the hardest part was removing all the sequins and tiny beads that someone had stitched onto the panel. It was rather wonky, most likely from being folded and stored for many years. She liked it, will try to find the pics and add them the next time I post.

So, I will close as we close out 2019, wondering what 2020 will bring. May or may not get back here before the end of the year, so………. Happy New Year! Welcome 2020!

I can’t believe that I am back in same week. It has been a strange week, strange sleep patterns, strange dreams and just a feeling of restlessness. I don’t know if that is because of Christmas approaching, the weather, the anniversary of the death of a dear, dear friend or the departure of another dear friend as he moves to Texas for a new career. I finished the tree panel for Melissa. It turned out okay. Just glad it is done and I can get it back to her. Not sure what my next project is going to be. I have several panels which will make quick quilts, which is a great thing for charity quilts.

I still need to do wrapping of gifts. Maybe tomorrow. On Friday, I am going to with my friend, Volitta and the old women to Beef and Boards to see Christmas Carol (not my favorite) and I really, really don’t want to go. What we do for our friends………

December 13, Friday the 13th, an hour and a half until the 14th. Time keeps escaping me. It is less than 2 weeks until Christmas. I have everything bought, nothing wrapped, but luckily, 70% of what we are doing for Christmas is cash or gift cards for the kids and grands. 3 of the grands (2 littlest and one who does not spend cash well) are getting gifts. I have gifts for my sisters and John and still need to pick up what I am getting my mom. The sisters are getting together on Sunday for lunch, exchange gifts and going to see White Christmas at an old refurbished theater. Looking forward that that.

I have a new project ready to load on the frame and will be quilting a “Christmas Tree” panel for my daughter. Still not sure how I am going to quilt, but as soon as I get it all loaded, will do a dry run to see what I can come up with.

Most recently I completed these.

The Red Truck Panel went to a friend. The two babydoll quilts are for a craft fair tomorrow, I have a total of 5 to sell, hopefully some (or all, fingers crossed) will sell. I have two more babydoll quilts made that will go to my granddaugther and one to my great niece, Hope. The fabric in Hope’s bd quilt matched the quilt I made for her.

As soon as Melissa’s panel is done, I will start working on a couple of charity quilts to be donated at the January guild meeting. Our December meeting is a pitch in and will be early next week, no way to get charity quilt(s) done by then. Will probably load a couple of the frame at the same time for quilting.

Will try to get back next week to post again. Til later……….

So, it is the last day of November (already). Thanksgiving is over —- it was good. Sister Sharon took my mom over to her house (2 hour drive each way) and she only kept her a little over 24 hours. Surprised she didn’t pick her up that morning and take her back that evening, but Sharon was her Sunday-Wednesday to make candy and picked her up on her way back home. All the kids and all but one of the Grands (we missed you Zianna) were here for lunch on Thanksgiving — add George (John’s dad) and Kori (not sure how this is spelled, but she is Chris’ something — roommate, girlfriend, not sure what) and you never know if she is going to be here or not. Tried to get her to talk to me and it was like pulling teeth. The meal turned out, hmm, okay. Need to make yeast rolls more often (or find a different recipe) as they are pretty dense. Might also try to get up a little earlier and make them the morning of, instead of proofing them in the fridge overnight before. When you are serving lunch instead of supper, your morning is rather hectic and rushes the yeast.

I did a little shopping on line today and bought all of Raeden’s Christmas and birthday (January) and got something ordered for John. He is sooooo hard to buy for. I think I have almost all my gifts bought. Really, need to get busy on candy but can’t make caramel because of the rain. Got 6 more babydoll quilts quilted and will need to get 2 bound before next Saturday. With at least 2 more for the following weekend and the last 2 can wait at least another week as they are Christmas gifts.

Not sure what the next project is I want to get done and one the frame. I have many panels I could get put together so I could make a couple more charity quilts. I am going to take a break from the Red, White and Blue as I have donated 4 in the last two months. I am thinking about announcing at the guild meeting that I am willing to quilt the RWB charity quilts — but not 100% certain I am ready for that yet.

It has been a quiet week as far as dictation goes, as Troiani is out of state for Thanksgiving. I figure he will bury me next week, and that is okay (except for candy making) as I need the money.

There has been a LOT of stress about my Mom and her finances. Finally got a check cancelled and reissued that had gone missing from November 1. The next one is supposed to be direct deposited. Got her credit froze from all three credit bureaus (finally and not without freezing mine by mistake and having to wait until they sent a letter to get it unfrozen). I still need to cancel her Kroger credit card that she applied for and decide what to do about the card that her Grandson opened up in her name. She also has one more pension check coming that I need to get my information to so I can do a a change of address since I can’t trust the USPS to send her stuff here. Last Friday she received the letter from the 2nd credit bureau about her credit being frozen, luckily, my youngest sister (who was taking her evening meds) picked the mail up and intercepted the letter. So last Saturday, after taking morning meds, I stopped by the local post office to see what was going on. Apparently, she has a new postal carrier, had stopped her at the mailbox and since “obviously she is living there” had started delivering her mail to her, UGH! I’m 99% certain that is what happened to the check I stopped and had reissued— who knows where it ended up.

Will take pics of the red truck/Christmas tree panel I worked up and the babydoll quilts as soon as I get them bound and will post next time. Until, then……..25 days til Christmas.

I keep thinking I will do better about getting here to post, and it just doesn’t happen.  Maybe I need to make a New Year’s Resolution to post at least one time a week and then shoot for 2.  Not much new here, problems with my Mom and credit and a Grandson who is taking advantage.  It is almost impossible to stay above all the $#!+.  I am in the process of trying to freeze her credit with the 3 credit reporting bureaus and at least one of them (won’t mention which one) has the most exasperating automated system (to help you, HA!) instead of letting you talk to an actual person.  Never did get through after 5 calls, numerous times hearing what I needed to do when I have already filled out the POA and Guardianship paperwork.  Hope she (or he) doesn’t decide to buy China in the meantime.  I thought I was ahead of an application which she filled out for a Kroger Credit Card and they sent the da** card anyway.  WTF…..  Now, even though I have sent the paperwork, I am waiting for it to be entered in the system so I can cancel the card.  I have a confirmation from one credit reporting bureau and am waiting on a confirmation letter from the second one and the third, who knows, since I can’t actually “talk” to a real person.  UGH!

I just finished two more patriotic quilts which will be donated at my quilting guild meeting tomorrow night.  I am getting ready to load a red truck panel on the frame to quilt for a wall hanging (not my thing) but hope my friend likes it.  Plan to make another batch of baby doll quilts as 3 of the 4 sold, need at least 2 for gifts and the rest will be up for sale at a couple of upcoming craft fairs.  May try to get some quilted stockings made also.

Tomorrow (a.m.) I have to take my mom to her eye doctor.  She has glaucoma (as well as moderate to severe dementia).  On Wednesday, I travel to Bloomington, pick up a friend (luckily using her car) to drive to Indy to take her to a Dr. appointment.  Then back to Btown, trade cars and back home.

I have received my chocolate for my candy making and Sharon will be over early next week for us to get started.  We do several things together and then I will attempt to finish after the “big feed” on Thursday.  We are kind of doing things backward, but since Thanksgiving is late this time around and we are both retired, we can work on it together before Thanksgiving instead of working all weekend after the big day.

My intentions are the best, but just can’t seem to get here on a regular basis to post. Until I manage to do that, I don’t feel like I should share my ramblings with others, and maybe I’m not supposed to do that no matter what. My days seems to be filled with Momma Drama, reading, quilting, don’t forget eating (as I never have been accused of missing a meal) and trying to sleep.

My Momma Drama right now revolves not only with making sure she takes her medicine, making sure the bills get paid, but now, there is a new charge card and I’m not sure if this is something she did or someone did in her name. I made the call today to the CC company and faxed them my POA and Guardianship paperwork and will call back in a week to get more info…..so this part of the drama is to be continued. Called Guideposts as they sent a book last week and I suspected that it was on auto renewal yearly delivery. Paid for the book for 2020 but stopped the auto renewal for the following year. Called her GM pension folks (after having sent them the same POA and Guardianship paperwork recently). Had to answer a series of questions to “prove” I was who I said I was and did finally get this set up on Direct Deposit. Not sure how we missed this one when Daddy died, but we did and even though her mail is coming to me, it is good not to have to “run to the bank” to deposit it every month (starting December 1).

I still have two quilts that have not sold at craft fairs and Marcia is going to try again this weekend. If they don’t sale, they will go to two women who are expecting baby girls in the spring. I also completed 4 babydoll quilts which I am taking to Marcia on Wednesday and they will be offered at the craft fair she is attending this weekend. IF they don’t sale, I have 2 small granddaugthers and a great niece who will be getting “babydoll” quilts for Christmas.

I am getting ready to piece two more red, white and blue quilts for donation through my guild. They will both go on the frame at the same time so I can quilt a row on each with each pass of the longarm. I loaded a couple of scrap pieces of fabric on the frame over the weekend and played around a little with stitching with rulers. Not sure this will ever be my “favorite” type of quilting. I am still getting used to the laser and pantograph but I really think that free hand is going to stay my favorite way to quilt. I’m sure I will get quicker on the pantograph quilting.

I will be in Columbus, Ohio Thursday through Monday this week. I am going with my friend, Sharry, to a knitting conference/workshop. No, I don’t knit, but it is a long way to go for someone with cancer who has had damage to pelvis to drive and go by herself. I am actually looking forward to some English Paper Piecing, relaxing in the pool and basically not being on call 24/7. When we start back on Monday, it is Sharry’s birthday, so we will likely try to stop somewhere special for lunch to celebrate her birthday.

Again, I will try to do better, but ……………………..