More Packing

Our only reprieve from packing and other get ready chores was lunch with Nat.  I marinated sirloin steaks in olive oil, sliced garlic and rosemary then grilled the steaks.  Nat and I enjoyed a baked sweet potato, Michael had a regular baked potato.  Dessert was some of the snickerdoodle cookies I was baking. 

The only things left to load are last minute items such as the stuff out of the refrigerator.  Clothes and shoes (yes, Michael, I did take more than one pair of shoes ) went in today.  We are leaving the heat on in the motorhome so stuff doesn’t freeze—wouldn’t be good for the diet coke to explode in Michael’s closet now would it???

Late this afternoon I baked two batches of granola for Michael and did some chores here in the house.  I’m missing my sewing room—it’s all packed in the trailer. 

Only five more sleeps before we head down the driveway.  Let’s hope the weather holds, it was another warm day but windy.

Putting On Miles

I should have worn a pedometer today—as Michael said when he sat down with a sigh of relief, “I think we put on some miles today.”  Right after our walk this morning we started loading.  The longarm is safely in its box and in the trailer.  Sewing machines, fabric, tools, etc.—all in the motorhome. 

Tomorrow I will load clothes, etc.  We should be close to finished by tomorrow evening with the exception of last minute things.  I over ruled Michael on the Christmas tree—even though it is a very small tree, after the holidays the tree has to have a home.  I suggested buying either a live tree and then planting the tree or buying another small lighted tree then donating it to the RV park clubhouse or something.  So, that is what we are doing. 

Chicken fajitas for lunch—very good.  I season a chicken breast really well and grill it.  In my cast iron skillet I sauté onions and peppers until they are slightly charred.  Homemade salsa and we have a great, good for us lunch.

It has been hard to pack knowing we are going to be gone longer than usual this time—I keep a lot of food on hand—we live in the boonies—some of it will keep until we return, some of it I had to take with us.  I’ve been successful this year in paring down the contents of the freezers and refrigerators—our motorhome refrigerator won’t be as stuffed as usual!  

It is really hard to believe Thanksgiving is this week—where did this year go??? 

 

It was almost 60 degrees today—a lot of that snow melted! 

It’s Getting Closer And A Heirloom

Departure day that is—one week from today.  Packing begins in earnest now that I’ve finished quilting until we get to Texas.  This morning I sewed the zippers on to the canvas leaders—that chore is complete.  Michael worked at getting more parts attached to the jeep cherokee. 

After lunch we headed to town with a list of errands a mile long.  First stop we dropped off a jeep load of used clothing to the Community Thrift Shop.  Next was a stop at the clinic to pick up quilt tops for quilting from my buddy Mary—these will be going to Texas with us. 

On to the courthouse where the sheriff’s office is located—no, I hadn’t been bad, I was just picking up my concealed carry permit which I had renewed.  And, geez—I want a copy of the photograph they took—best photo I’ve had taken in a LONG time!!!

A few more minor errands and we headed out to Jeane and Steve’s.  Today was the day we were to help Jeane finish with the setup of her little mid-arm quilting machine.  I was also going to show her how to load a quilt and practice some too.  We only had to tweak the frame just a bit then Steve and Mike were off to town for something.  Jeane and I enjoyed playing with the machine—it is so smooth to operate and makes beautiful stitches.

The motorhome is now parked at the back door—ready for loading. 

I was very fortunate to have three grandparents alive well into my adulthood.  My Mom’s mother lived to be 93 years old and I was 47 years old when she died—she was in a nursing home, her body had declined but her mind was still there.  I even remember this grandmother’s Mom—Grannie who died when I was about 3 years old.  One day my sister and I were visiting Grandma—she and I had a special bond, she was a nurse and she loved to quilt.  Grandma loved to show everyone her current projects but that day she brought out this quilt--Her mother, my great grandmother had made this quilt—hand pieced and hand quilted. Grandma suddenly asked me if I would like to have this quilt and of course I replied—YES!!!  We visited a while longer then Ann and I decided to head home—as we got to the car my sister said, “and what made you the favored grandchild today???”  I said, “I have no idea but I’m taking advantage of it!!!”  I love this quilt and display it—there are a couple small tears in the fabric but otherwise it is in great shape. 

My Dad’s parents both died within six months of each other when I was about 30 years old—they lived in a house very near ours as I was growing up—we caught the school bus and got off the bus at their house.  We stayed with them during the summer—both our parents worked.  My brother Ross and Grandpa had a very special relationship and Ross owns and operates the farm my Grandpa owned.  So many children today have no parents much less grandparents—we were blessed as children!

Success On Two Fronts

About 5pm Michael had the engine in the jeep purring—he is so elated!!  And so am I—for him!  I finished up LoraLee’s quilt about 4pm and started working on the canvas leaders for the longarm table rollers.  Had to cut that stiff old canvas the appropriate length, dig out my seldom used serger to neaten the edges and tomorrow or maybe later this evening I will sew on the zippers.  That will conclude any more sewing I have to accomplish before we leave!  On to packing and loading.

It was a beautiful but chilly day here—sunny skies—may that continue until we get the motorhome down our rather steep driveway!  One week from tomorrow we hope to be rolling!

I had about decided not to take any Christmas decorations.  I figured on buying maybe a small live tree along with some strings of lights—calling it good.  My dear husband this morning decided we need to take along the small, lighted tree we have and a few ornaments.  OK—you talked me into it.  He seems to have forgotten that old “you can’t take everything, we weigh too much…….!” 

Looking rather wintery around here, isn’t it??

“You don’t get to choose how you are going to die, or when.  You can only decide how you are going to live now.”  Joan Baez

A Near Disaster

With all the mud we have it’s necessary to wash Emmi’s paws in the mud room sink every time she comes in the house—for some reason this seems to make her wild!  The minute I put her feet on the floor she madly dashes around hoping up in the chair, down out of the chair, around the chair.  As all this mad dashing was going on I heard a thud.  I turned around to see what had happened and saw my laptop on the floor—it had been sitting on the ottoman in front of my chair.  Emmi in her wildness must have knocked it off the ottoman—thankfully it landed perfectly on it’s bottom with the screen in the correct position.  And everything still works—whew, that was a close one and my laptop will not be left on the ottoman again!

Even though I spent the entire day quilting I did not finish LoraLee’s quilt.  But I got close enough to finished—I know I can finish it tomorrow.  Michael was more successful—he got the jeep engine back in—not all hooked up but back where it’s supposed to be. 

Joan asked in a comment in last night’s blog what Michael would be doing in Texas.  He will be a mechanical technician during construction of an off shore drilling rig—which is being built on land. 

A very gray day here—cool too, mud doesn’t dry out well with those conditions.

Last night after writing the blog I went downstairs and did some packing—fabric, longarm tools, etc.  Filled two bins so far—Michael said I can only put three bins in the trailer with the jeep, everything else has to go in the motorhome.  I had hoped to get everything related to sewing in those three bins but I’m not sure that’s gonna happen!

Mom received her quilt as did Pat—both were very pleased and I’m very glad!  Here’s some photos of Pat’s--

I loved this quilt but given Pat’s expertise with a gun I decided to send it back to her instead of keeping it! 

Quilting And Engines

Michael informed me this morning I had only six days before we depart!!  I think I shrieked something like, “oh, no, I have much longer than that!”  If you factor in two trips to Billings, a trip to help Jeane with her quilting machine and Thanksgiving, yes, we have six days!!  Well, I eliminated one trip to Billings—I will go to the dentist in Texas when I have nothing but time.  So, I have seven days before the pink motorhome rolls down the driveway—I think I am truly in full blown panic mode!!!  In an email this morning Rollie said I better get that quilt finished or Michael might put the quilt, longarm and me in the trailer to finish while going down the road! 

Michael worked on the jeep engine all day and has it ready to put back into the white jeep cherokee we purchased this past spring.  He’s one tired dude tonight!

“Modern Firearms are a better investment than precious metals and a lot more fun to admire..... I picked up 6 new ones this summer.”  This was a comment on yesterday’s blog left by our good friend Mike McFall—spoken like a true man!!!!  We just have to agree to disagree Mike!! 

I made great progress on LoraLee’s quilt today—once I changed thread colors on the backing all was well and it was fun to quilt.  Should have it finished tomorrow.

Emmi And I Are Hiding

I think Michael is ready to go—he has started packing stuff such as the rails to the shorter longarm table, the ugly carpet, air conditioner and various other things.  Emmi and I decided we might better lay low in case he decides to stuff us in that trailer.

Michael was surfing the internet tonight and said, “here’s some investments you will like.”  I’m standing in the kitchen thinking, “what in the world is he talking about—he does all the investment stuff—what investments I might like???”  Seems he was reading an article on Fox News which said put 10% of your money in gold, silver and platinum.  The article also said put 5% of your money in diamonds.  All righty then!!  I’m liking this new investment plan—when can we go shopping???

I loaded onto the frame the last quilt I am going to do while here in Montana.  Managed in spite of some thread breakage issues to make good progress. 

We warmed up to above freezing today and are now in a sea of mud.  The wind, of course, is blowing gale force. 

Our granddaughter Laci is back in the US after her two year tour of duty in Italy.  Her next assignment is here on the air base in Montana.  Tonight Lonn, LoraLee and Laci came for dinner—we were all groaning and moaning—ribs, Brenda’s cheesy potatoes, and a salad.  Very good dinner if I do say so myself.  Laci looks great—she has matured into a beautiful young woman.  She placed her orders tonight—would I please make her some poppy seed salad dressing and would I hem her pants.  Yep, it’s good to have her home.