just a few more days......

Yes, that's right, only a few more days until school's out for Christmas holidays. Only a few more days of freedom for me to do a tree, plan what to cook, and actually make it all work, receive boxes of all shapes and sizes at the door from the "Brown Man" (that would be Booder, the UPS driver!) and find places to hide it all, only to have to find it again. Have you ever hidden your children's Christmas gifts, only to remember several days or months later and have to use it as an Easter happy and then go find something really cool for the other three kids to be fair to everyone?

I have ordered most of the presents for this year, simply because I don't want to be in the midst of all those shoppers and all the germs and all the lines and all the illnesses and all the extra stress that puts on the holidays. I'd rather point and click and wait for the Brown Man.....

Monogramming is slow this year. I say that, I'm still busy, (busier than I want to be!!!), but I'm not up til all hours of the night trying to complete projects for others.....for that I am most thankful.

I think the Hubs and I are not going to buy gifts for each other this year. We are going to take the needed "time to ourselves" trip. That is, unless he does as he usually does when we make this decision and gets something really great for me, and I am there empty handed. He just doesn't understand somehow, that if we aren't going to buy gifts for each other, that means nothing, nada, nunca, zero! I don't care how neat it is and how wonderful it will look on me or how you just couldn't pass it up.....I usually do have a "something" in the closet hidden for him, just in case, but it's kinda awkward to have to excuse myself in the middle of opening presents to run upstairs and grab his "not a gift" gift, wrap it and run back downstairs, pretending I just forgot it in the closet. Then we go round and round about how I had something for him, and he had something for me, and how we weren't supposed to get something for each other and how glad we are that we each had something for each other and how awkward it would be if we didn't......

Another of my favorite holiday treats is taking the kids to get flu shots... (NOT!) .here's the bus, gotta go!

Courtney's birthday

Well, I have done it! We FINALLY had a spend the night party at my house with more than one extra child. I have to admit it was NOTHING like what I was expecting. The girls were WONDERFUL! We have some terrific parents of 11 and 12 year old girls here! Give yourselves a pat on the back, your girls were great! No giggling all night, no sneaking out of the house, no yelling and terrorizing each other, it was wonderful.

I guess I'm used to boys (you know, we ventured out and had spend the night parties when Thomas was younger, but they slept in a tent in the yard for about 10 minutes, then they were in and out of the house all night) It was fun then, but WOW, it's easier, or it was easier this time. We ate pizza and cupcakes (thank you Jaiden for doing the cupcakes!) and went to the movie to see Madagascar 2 - you ever tried to seat 10 people together at the theatre...that ain't an easy task! They all enjoyed the movie - I would have been better if the kid behind me had kept his feet on the floor and off my seat. I felt like I was in a rocket chair. I told Ken to watch out, I might be plastered on the screen the way that kid was kicking my chair around.

We came home around 9:00 p.m., ate ice cream and the girls watched a dvd Courtney got for her present, 2 went to sleep, and the rest were up until about 12:30 or so. Though the tv played all night, it was ok. They got up the next morning, ate waffles with all kinds of toppings, we won't dare go there!, and went home early. Ken had scouting for food at one of the grocery stores, and I had a monogramming class to teach, so we got rid of the girls around 8:30. It was good! Now, Courtney, Maison and I are suffering from sinus yucky stuff. They got antibiotics today, but it hasn't slowed them down at all. Maison is still bouncing off the walls!

Courtney's birthday present....a little early

Courtney received her birthday present a little early this year. She and I went to the pet store to get food for Jalapeno on a Steek (that's our bird!) and NORMALLY I'm safe there, b/c they only have birds, ferrets, a few frogs and LOTS of snakes and some mice to feed the snakes. While I was looking at the food for the bird, she walked over to the forbidden corner of the pet store, where all the snakes and reptiles are. They had 2 little doxie puppies, one male, black and tan, and one female, red. She started to cry. I couldn't deal with it, so I gave her the phone to call Ken. I knew he was a sucker for weiners. Long story short, meet Ginger.......

Maison and Wally

This is Maison and Wally. They became big buddies at Jaiden's family hay ride this weekend. Wally is a bassett hound in every sense. He is big footed, long earred, sad eyed, slow moving hound dog, and did I mention SMELLY????? Oh it was terrible! Maison just rolled and played with Wally and, needless to say, we about made him ride on the roof on the way home....they had a great time. Jaiden says that Wally is Thomas' favorite dog too. Apparently, Thomas loves on Wally and then tries to love on Jaiden. I don't think she appreciates it!

fun at Oktibbeha County Lake

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of ours opened a new coffee shop in town. My kids think it looks Dr. Seuss-ish, so we had to take a picture. We stopped by and had breakfast, grabbed the friend and Ken and Maison went fishing. Courtney, MolliKate, Madeline and I went to Dandy Doodles to paint pottery and then decided to go out to the lake to meet Ken and Maison and have a picnic. Everyone had fun except Courtney. She griped the whole time. She didn't want to go to the lake, it wasn't fun, there were bugs, it was boring, nothing to do, bla bla bla....your typical teenager. The only way we could get her to smile was this....

No matter where we go, MolliKate is ALWAYS a NUT!! We ate KFC, played frisbee, gave Madeline TOO much chocolate and took her home. The boys went back to fishing....or should I say running the boat in the water....the fish weren't biting!

misc. goings on at home

Jaiden went back to the doctor on Monday. The matter of the bladder infection is still there. The doctor seems to think baby is doing fine, they listened to his heartbeat, and told her she's gained too much weight... Poor girl, she was told to exercise and she didn't feel like it, now she feels like it and they told her not to, they told her to gain weight and she was so sick she couldn't eat, now she's eating and they say she's eating too much! Give her a break!

Thomas was laid off for a few days due to inventory, now, they are backed up and having to work 7 days a week. He is a MONSTER to get up in the mornings, and even so when he's working so much. Don't get me wrong, he LOVES the big paychecks, but hunting season is coming and he's thinking he's going to be working and not able to hunt....

He has put in his order for Thanksgiving dinner. He wants Paula Deen's TurDuckEn.....turkey, duck chicken? This could be a tall order to fill since I have no idea how to get ahold on a duck unless he kills one, and duck season is AFTER Thanksgiving......this meal may have to be a bring in the new year meal or a Happy Birthday Baby meal.

Courtney is cooking right along in school. Maison and MolliKate are going on a field trip tomorrow with PEAK to the Noxubee Refuge. I got invited to go, too. I'm looking forward to it. This is the place with BIG GATORS!!!!! We are doing two different classes at the Refuge...should be interesting. MolliKate just doesn't want to disect SCAT! She was ok, until she learned what SCAT is!

I went to the eye doctor today. I have been having a hard time seeing to thread the needles in my machines. Then it got to be that I couldn't read the design books, or get a number from the phone book....she told me I need bifocals! GREAT!!!! turning 40 IS BAD!!!!! Let's see....since I turned 40 just a few short months ago, I have experienced menopause, learned that I'm going to be a grandmother, and now, a grandmother with bifocals! Well, I guess I should look on the brighter side.....there will be another baby boy to love, my harmone pills are controlling the hot flashes and I'll be able to read the prescription in a few weeks.....I guess its going to be ok!

the last few days

Jaiden has been in the hospital with contractions since Saturday. She is 20 weeks and a few days. She has had a bladder/kidney/urinary tract infection off and on and the doctor says it's back and that's what's causing the contractions. They have flushed her system with fluids and antibiotics this weekend to try to get rid of the infection. She has been a trooper through all this. Seems she's been sick ever since she found out she was pregnant. We all went to visit and M&M made pictures for her. She seemed to be doing better with the pain, they had given her pain meds, but the monitors still showed that she was having contractions. Word last night was she was going home today, but earlier this morning, her mom said they were still pushing antibiotics through her iv. We are all worried about her and the baby, but we have been told that once the infection is under control the contractions should stop.

On another note, while at the hospital yesterday, Thomas and Sara (Jaiden's mom) ran right into his grandmother from the other side. She barely spoke to Thomas and later Sara asked him who she was. When he explained that it was his grandmother, Sara had a fit. No "Hey, Thomas, how are you, why are you here?" She pretty much ignored him, acted like he was a no body she came across on the street. He has done so well emotionally, lately, and didn't need that on top of what's going on with Jaiden. We tried to get him to shake it off, but he's hurting. Please pray for this little family.

well......it's a.....................

I can't believe I haven't posted yet about the gender of this baby! I am SUCH the bad grandmother blogger! Well, here's the story that I sent out by email.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I went today, after a 3 week waiting period, to a doctor's appointment with Jaiden, the mother of my grandchild. The families were represented well....her mother was there, I was there, my mother was there, and of course, Thomas was there. After a 25 minute wait and SEVERAL bets being made as to the sex of this child, the doctor appeared to do the sonogram. We all waited, patiently, NOT!!!!! while he quietly pointed out the head, the eyes, nose, mouth, why the eyes weren't open, oh there's a hand, look at the foot, I'm going to measure the head, click, click, this is the...., I'm looking to see bla bla bla..., next we look at the abdomen, to bla bla bla bla BLA!!!! I'm about ready to knock Thomas in the head because he CAN'T WAIT and I CAN'T STAND IT EITHER, frankly. On a swipe of the magic wand, I was CERTAIN of seeing ....something....having been through several myself, I can kinda see what the things are as they are pointed out, spine, belly, bladder, oh, there goes another foot, look its little hand... Thomas and I are about to take the magic wand away from the doctor and look WHERE WE WANT and SEE WHAT WE ALL CAME TO SEE! Finally, he sits back and says, well, your baby looks normal, then puts the magic wand back on her belly and points out a few more VERY UNNECESSARY items, turns and acts as though he is going to put the wand away. Thomas and I both lunged at him. Then he ever so kindly asked Jaiden did she want to know the sex of the baby? She said Yes, sir. And I could hold it in no longer, I, in my most politest manner I could muster at that given moment said well, why do you think we are all in here? Yes, we want to know! He turned and said, well, let's see.....and just as plain as day, there it was......Thomas Carter Holder is as proud of his >>>>>>as his father! He should be arriving sometime end of February. Stay close for further details. LP

Thomas, Jaiden and the bump

Well, here they are, Thomas, Jaiden and The Bump! I guess I'm going to have to stop calling this poor baby the bump soon because it's actually going to be a gender soon. We go Tuesday, Sept. 16 to find out. She will be 18 weeks and they have told her they can tell. I'm a bit skeptical, simply because I have been through this process before and either the doctor couldn't tell for certain or the baby wouldn't cooperate. I was always in suspense until after 23 weeks, and with the twins, we knew Maison was a boy, but MolliKate just wouldn't cooperate and I was stressing....praying that I didn't get TWO BOYS! Sorry, nothing against boys, I love the two I was blessed to carry and they one that I now can call partially mine, but I'm just not sure I could have handled two at the same time.

Anyway, maybe we will get lucky and the baby will cooperate! They have a boy's name picked out I think, but they are hung up on the girl's name. That's ok, soon we will know which name we are going to be needing.

Natalee's Birthday presents

We drove to Florence, Alabama for Natalee's first birthday. These are the things that were created for her. The pink patchwork thing is a duffle bag like the big girls use - it's big enough to take the baby and all her belongings! Let's just say she can go to Papaw's house for an extended stay with this bag. The outfit is made from hot pink dimple dot fabric, with a white t with her initial appliqued on it. She opened the pink outfit and grabbed the pants, wrapped them up in her arms and stuck her thumb in her mouth. They are really soft. I had a hard time keeping my girls away from the scraps while I was sewing it.

Collars, Etc., pattern Princess dress & coat

This dress was made for another friend. Mom saw the dress in a well known catalog, and asked if I could make one similar. Here it is! And I must say, looks pretty close, though I like my fabric better than the one in the catalog! It is perfect for here in Bulldog Country!

It buttons all the way down the back.

What can be done with a little sale at WMt!

Well, check these out! There is a black t-shirt in the back with a pink/zebra "M" on it. Got the t-shirt for $3.00 in the boy's dept. It was a little long, and boyish, so I cut off the bottom, and the hems in the sleeves and lettuce edged them with the serger. The pants were $7.00, and WAY TOO LONG, so I put the star on the back pocket, guitar on one leg and a patch with an "M" on it on the other leg. I had to cut them off anyway, so I made them capris, and added a zebra ruffle around the bottom. I found some zebra ribbon, so I made a belt from the ribbon and black webbing, and there's just enough left for the pony tail. MolliKate is going to be the hit of the 2nd grade tomorrow!

Boy outfits????

I have been asked about doing boy outfits. I have done them, I just can't find my pictures of them to post here. I do the Taylor bubble for boys, it snaps on the shoulder has elastic in the legs and snaps in the crotch. Also I do jon jons...which is similar, just open legs look more like shorts, less baby looking. Contact me by email if you are interested.

Meet Maddox

This is Maddox. I kept him last spring while his mom taught school. Isn't he just a little roly-poly! I called him my chunky monkey, hince the monkeys on everything.

Also, they said I spoiled him!!! ME????!!!! No way! Loved him - not spoiled him!!!! So, he got the bib ! He also got a burp cloth that says "My sitter is a hottie!" They got a kick out of that one....little did they know - menopause was hitting and boy was I ever a hottie!!!! : )

Outfits

These are a few of the outfits that I have done for different people. This is what I would rather do. I'm kinda burned out on making bags right now. I'm sure when the kids get back in school and I find out the gender of my grandbaby, I'll get right back into all of this! Needless to say "the bump" (my grandchild....that's about all it is right now!) will have plenty of clothes and bags... These are all made with an A-line top/dress pattern. They all either snap or button on the shoulders. Some are dresses, some are tops and capris. The black one is my favorite, I think. It has a pink poodle and pink and black dot corduroy pants. The navy one with the white monogram is corduroy with a blue gingham ruffle on the pants leg. I like doing these because they start out as a blank canvas and I can add to it whatever I wish. They always turn out really cute. They are easy to wear too. You can wear them all year long, add a t-shirt or turtle neck in the winter. Ruffles and bows add to the designs. I don't sew the bows to the garments, b/c they make it harder to wash. I usually just pin them on.

Happy Birthday, Natalee!

This is a little girl named Natalee, and her mommy.

Natalee will be having her first birthday really soon! Her PawPaw is THE PROUDEST I have ever seen! Thank you, God, for blessing this family with such a precious baby!

Happy First Birthday, Natalee!

no pictures showed up

I guess I dumped too many at once.....I'll try again.

Bags from the past

These are some of the bags that I have made for people. I have more pictures to upload, but I can only do a few at a time.

Look carefully, if you are a customer or family...you might recognize yours!

the bag from H_ _L!

This bag took me 2 days to complete! It was a ROYAL pain in the REAR! I bought a pattern....first problem - I don't make bags by patterns! - but it was SO cute and I thought it would be perfect for the little girls in MolliKate's class for birthday presents. It's just the right size! Well, first off, the lining has a different pattern piece than the outside. They NEVER match up, and of course, this one was no acception. When I put it together, the lining was ALOT shorter than the outside, and crooked, while looking at the pictures that came with the pattern (you know, step by step!- yeah Right!) it said to put wrong sides to right sides, on one picture, then the next one showed it the opposite way which really confused me, so, it's made by a pattern, it's lined, but it has lots of my little touches to it. Like I had to re-cut several pieces to get it to match properly, and something really screwy with the pocket on the inside and side pieces and UGH!!!!! I'm just glad I'm finished and I better NOT get any orders from ANYONE at school for this bag or they will be totally astonished at the cost of such a small bag!

Maison's new shirt

I was without children (PHEW!!!!) for an afternoon- I had to go to the dentist, so the kids spent the night with my mother. After the dentist, I went to Ackerman to one of my fabric stops. I picked up several pieces of fabric for school clothes for the kids and for the new one. Still can't do much for it yet, it's just "the bump".
Anyway, I bought this crab fabric for Maison hoping that he would get away from t-shirts.....well, he just added it to the t-shirt, but I thought it was cute and he loves it. He had me buy him MSU fabric to make another one, of course, he already has a maroon shirt with a bulldog on it to wear under that one! UGH!
MolliKate's skirt is finished except for the elastic, and I just haven't been able to tie her down long enough to measure it.
You don't realize how much you can get accomplished without having to stop every few minutes to talk to or feed or settle things with your children.

Welcome!
I plan to post pictures of my creations, my children, my grandchild, and life in general. Be patient with me on posting, I do have a life, you know. There's all that mother/wife/housekeeper/head cook/taxi driver/business owner/slave driver to myself that I must attend to first. Hopefully, I can use this as a portfolio for my business....we'll see.