These come out after it rains...... (3/26/09)

I had never seen them until we bought our house in Texas. We had a little rain (with the possibility of hail and tornados, but did not get those) last night, and this is what I saw when I left for work this morning (between the house and garage):


Can you tell what they are? Here's a closer look:


Yup, SNAILS!!!!! They like the water and sometimes crawl up the sides of the house or garage - we've even had them crawl up windows!!

This little guy left a trail for me to see where he had gone!


You really have to watch where you step or it's easy to crunch them. :(

I haven't had much to update my blog about since our computer started acting up, I haven't sew much or quilted much. I think I'm going to have to do the small squares on my quilt by hand, because it's just too much to get in the sewing machine.

On the computer front, we finally broke down and bought a laptop at Best Buy on Sunday. It's pretty nice - has a webcam and everything. It even has a slot to put the memory card from our digital camera to download photos - now I won't have to mess around with the cord! I should be able to do it with the card from my cell phone, too, but haven't tried it yet. But what's EVEN BETTER is that we are debt-free and didn't even have to take money out of savings to buy it! This weekend we are going to get a wireless router, another mouse (so we can use both computers) and a cooling pad for the laptop. Todd and I both like it so much, we've already decided that when the desktop quits working, we'll get another laptop.

My parents have decided to come see us the weekend of Mother's Day - I'm so excited. My birthday is a few days before that, so that will be a GREAT birthday present!!!! (Of course, that means I'll spend LOTS of time between now and then cleaning our house.) One of my brothers got plane tickets for them with his frequent flyer miles that were about to expire - He's JUST THE BEST!!!! I'll be able to take a few days off since I still have five days I have to use before June 1. I also want to get some good pictures of them with the grandkids and another four generation picture - the last one was when Alyssa was a baby and now she's 6!

Just thought I'd update my blog quick. Work was pretty slow this afternoon even with the storms in the area last night.

Tonight is Ham and Scalloped Potatoes for supper, so it will be an easy fix!

I'm "Twittering" Now (3/16/09)

Anyone else?????????

twitter.com/Jylslife

Bluebonnet Pictures from 4/15/08 (posted 3/13/09)

The last three days we have gotten RAIN!!!! PTL!!! The change in weather makes my left arm achy - the one I broke quite a few years ago while I was in the truck with Todd. (It's either that or that I have been cutting up the boxes to re-organize my fabric.) That is the main reason I haven't been sewing much this week. Sunday is supposed to clear up a little bit, but more rain early next week. I'm hoping with this rain we'll have PRETTY BLUEBONNETS this year! Speaking of bluebonnets, I don't think I ever posted the pictures I took last year of the grandkids in them. These were taken April 15, 2008.
Sam and Tyler:
Tyler alone:
Tab's kids:
Tab, Brian and the kids:
What a wonderful family we have!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Megan and McKenna are going to come visit in a few months, so we'll get lots of pictures when they are here. :D
Have a great weekend, everyone!

Monday Morning (2/16/09)

What a great weekend we had!!!! Alyssa, our oldest granddaughter, turned 6 last week, so we had her birthday party on Saturday. (Not much of a party, really, just cake and open presents, but it was fun.) She LOVES getting her picture taken!!!! Here are some of her opening her presents:
And her cake....She's such a sweetie!!!!! I can't believe she's 6 already! Granna loves you, Alyssa!!!!!!I got everyone else outside so I could get some updated pictures. Sam wouldn't pose for any pictures, but I snapped a few, anyway. So here they are!!! LOL
Tab and her family cooperated much better!
Valentine's Day we finally went to Tokoyo Steakhouse to celebrate being DEBT-FREE!!! They had a special menu for the day, and it was a lot of fun.
Sunday Todd and I got up to go to early church, then I headed down to Austin to go to JoAnn's Fabrics. I have my church quilt class on Wednesday and the teacher is going to show us how to machine and hand quilt. I already know how to hand quilt, but not machine, so I wanted to get a "walking foot" for my sewing machine. If found one and played around with it a little after I got home. I need to get a bigger embroadery hoop, but it worked pretty well. I also basted the small quilt I'm taking to work on Wednesday night. Then we made supper and went to the gym.
I didn't get up early this morning to go to the gym since we went last night. Tomorrow and hopefully the rest of the week I will.
Have a great President's Day, everyone!!!!!!

Cool quote from a Dave Ramsey Listener (2/11/09)

There are three kinds of people in this world: Those who have, Those who have not and Those who have not paid for what we have.

Rain, FINALLY (2/10/09)

We FINALLY got some rain yesterday! About an inch, but we are still 15 or 20 inches below normal for the last couple of years. It's also been raining off and on today, so things will really green up around here! The bad part of the rain is the dogs come inside muddy and we have to clean them up so they don't track mud through the whole house.
And speaking of the dogs, I don't know if I've ever posted pictures of our dogs, so I will now.This is Buddy - he's about 11 in people years, which means he's getting old and probably won't be around for much longer. He's part SharPei and we're not sure what else. He's Todd's dog.
A this is my little boy!!!! BRUTE!!!! He's pure Yorkshire Terrier. His birthday is August 23, 2001, we got him in September 2001, the same weekend we bought our 2001 Dodge Ram - the deal was Todd got his truck if I could get my puppy. He was just over one pound when we brought him home. :D Isn't he ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!

December 16, 1915 (posted 1/28/09)

This is a photo of my grandparents (Mom's parents), Abraham Lincoln Troyer and Emma Barbara Eichelberger on their wedding day - December 16, 1915 (or maybe December 15, 1915 - I've seen both and am not sure of the correct date. The family calendar that was made for 2000 says 16th, but the little bulletin for Grandma's Memorial Service says the 15th).

Wow, just a few minutes after I posted my blog entry this morning, we had a car pull up in front of the office (yes, I was blogging while at work). Nebraska license plate, 34-(somthing). For those of you unfamiliar with license plates in Nebraska, most counties are assigned numbers for their license plates, so if you know the number asisgned to each county, you know where they are from. (I believe the Omaha and Lincoln areas are now too big to have numbers assigned to them, that changed after we left Nebraska so I'm not sure how they work.) Anyway, I've seen MANY 34-county plates and knew it was from Filmore county, which is where my grandparents (above) lived. When I was young, we made many trips on Sunday afternoons to go see them and seeing that plate today just bought back a flood of memories. The people came into our office and I had lots of fun talking to them and of course had to tell them that I'm a native Nebraskan who had family that lived in Shickley (they live in Geneva). They didn't know any of my relatives, but I still enjoyed talking to them. It's funny how seeing that plate just made me happy. Right after they left I went to lunch and really got to thinking about family. So I called Mom to tell her, we always laugh about how it's such a small world. She had told me a while ago that when she was working at the shop in Seward they had a mom and daughter come in from Texas and this is how the conversation went:
Mom: Where do you live in Texas?
Them: Austin
Mom: Oh, I have a daughter who lives in Georgetown
Them: Well, we live in Georgetown, but always just say Austin because no one knows where Georgetown is.
Me: FUNNY!


Anyway, while I was at home and thinking about family, I went to look through some old photos I have and found the picture posted above. I just think it's neat and wanted to post it so everyone could see it.


I also found this one:

EEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!! I wish I could remember for sure when this was taken, but I'm guessing 1993 or 1994. The little boy Mom is holding is my nephew, Josh, who was born in 1992, that's what my guess is based on. Mom, Brian or Jerolyn, do you know exactly when it was taken? If so, email me or put a comment on this post and I'll write it on the back of the picture.
So to find out correct dates, I had to pull out my copy of the family calendar that I keep important family stuff in it. Mostly it's full of obituaries. My dad's parents were both deceased before I was born, so I never was lucky enough to know them. I do remember Mom's parents and going to see them on Sundays. I remember always taking a little baggie full of pennies because Grandpa collected them. I don't know what he did with them after I gave them to him though. I also remember him being VERY TALL. My older brother and some of my cousins inherited his height, I didn't. He died on August 27, 1971; he was 81. (I was thinking it was later than that because I thought my younger brother had been born before he died, but I guess not. Barry was born in 1972.) Grandma died on October 11, 1989; she was 96. They were married for 56 years and had 12 kids (Mom is second to youngest). When grandma died in 1989, she had 39 Grandchildren and 58 Great Grandchildren. I wonder what the count is now, 20 years later, in 2009. My kids were 3 and 4 when she died and now they have kids of their own (Todd and I have four grandchildren.)
And in two days, Todd's grandmother turns 97. I wish we could be there to celebrate with her, but it didn't work out. At least we got to see her at Christmas.
And tomorrow is Samantha and Jason's anniversary. I think this will be their 3rd. I have a card at home for them, so we'll have to get with them soon.
I guess I've rambled on enough for this afternoon.
Have a wonderful day, everyone!!!!! :D

The yoga pants are done.... (1/28/09)

and turned out very well. I bought enough fabric for two pair of pants, plus the pattern and elastic for $20. Pretty well considering I could have gone to Old Navy and paid $15 or $20 for ONE pair. Plus, when I decide to make some more, I won't need to buy the pattern again, so it will only be the fabric. I need to wash them, then figure out how to take a good picture of them. The waist on them is HUGE (thus the elastic) and I really don't want to take a picture of them on me. I did make the extra long and I really like them a lot.
It's been cold here the last 24 hours. It was in the 60's when I went to the gym at 5:15am yesterday, then a cold front came through and it was below freezing overnight (welcome to Texas). So I used the cold and possible ice on roads as an excuse to not go to the gym this morning. I usually don't go on Thursday, but will have to make sure to go tomorrow. I really need to watch what I eat more, but with Todd home it's hard. For instance, he made his oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies again on Sunday. He makes the HUGE!!! I can keep myself from eating more than one a day, but it would be lots easier if they weren't around. He also told me he ate FOUR yesterday!!!! UGH! Must be nice to eat that much and not gain weight!
I went to WalMart to buy the new movie out - FIREPROOF. I watched it alone last night (Todd went to bed early) and it's really good. I'd highly recommend it for everyone - whether single, in a relationship or married. The Sunday School class at Church we went to the last four weeks was based on it. It's about a couple almost divorcing and how they pulled their marriage back together.
Other than that, my payday is on Monday, so we'll be able to pay bills and PAY OFF OUR LAST CREDIT CARD!!!!! **HAPPY DANCE** Then we need to figure out a time to call Dave Ramsey and do our DEBT FREE SCREAM. :D

Stained Glass from Jerolyn (1/23/09)

I finally snapped a couple pictures of the stained glass piece my sister made me. Mom and Dad brought it down in November when they came to visit.
Todd and I decided to put it in one of the few windows that does not have a mini-blind. So we decided to put it in the dining room. It's really pretty and looks GREAT from the outside when it's dark. Isn't it pretty!!!! Angel and Alyssa have fun standing in the "rainbow" when the light shines through it just right. I love it!And so you can see how high up the window is....
My project for this weekend is to make me some Yoga Pants to wear when I work out. I only have three pair of workout pants that I like, so found some information online yesterday and whipped up a quick pair out of some old black knit fabric that has been in my stash for years. They turned out OK, but I'm going to look at patterns at WalMart this weekend, then hopefully I'll be able to find some really cheap (as in $1 or $2 a yard) to make some out of. I figure instead of paying $20 for one pair at Old Navy, I should be able to make three or four pair for that price, PLUS, I'll have another project to post pictures of! :D
I'm at a stand-still on my quilt. I was not going to start any other projects until I got the quilt in and started on it, but the wood pieces that I have for my quilt frame are not long enough, so Todd's going to have to make me some more. Of course, he says he has to buy a table saw in order to do that, so it may be a while until I can start on it. The thought has crossed my mind, that he's using that as an excuse to buy a tool he's been wanting for a while..... Any thoughts????
On the workout front, it's working so much better for me to go early in the morning instead of after work. My problem is that I know my alarm is going to go off at 5:15 am, and it seems every day I wake up at 5:00, then can't get back to sleep. I think next week I'll try just getting up at 5:00 and see how that goes. Besides, then I can beat the girl to the gym that is always on the elipitical machine. LOL
Hopefully I'll have something fun to post next week!!!!!!Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!!!!!!!!!!

Inauguration Day 2009 - Just some thoughts.... (1/20/09)

So it's Inauguration Day today. Our new president, Barack Obama, is being sworn in as I write this. A historic day that my grandkids (and great grandkids) will be talking about for years, I'm sure. It's amazing to see so many people in Washington DC. It makes me wonder how in the world they can close off so many streets, deal with millions of people and still feel that security is tight. Incredible traditions they have to Inauguration Day from centuries ago. I find it hard to fathom.
I voted Republican, but I'll still watch everything on TV while at home for lunch and tonight. (Todd says he won't watch, so I'll be by myself.) I hope the new President can do good things with the country like he said he will. Time will tell and I hope there will not be a lot of disappointed people in a year or so. It will be fun to see their girls grow up in the White House, what kind of puppy they finally decide to get (Todd's parents have a Labradoodle) and how they can be kept out of the public eye as much as possible. I can't imagine growing up like that. Far from my childhood growing up on a small acerage in Nebraska.
Todd and I are lucky in two respects -1) the economy in Austin has not been affected nearly as much as other areas of the country and 2) we are two weeks away from being DEBT-FREE (except the house), so we don't rely on anyone besides ourselves financially. We will be working on building our Fully-Funded Emergency Fund that will sustain us in case anything does happen to one of us or our jobs. (Thanks to Dave Ramsey and his Total Money Makeover - you can get more information at http://www.daveramsey.com/ )The journey paying off over $27k in debt has taught me quite a bit - like that I don't really NEED everything I thought I did; that when you and your spouse are on the same page financially speaking, it can really strengthen a marriage and makes things A LOT easier; it's fun to see the progress and to get excited that it's almost done and that I'm glad we did it. We were debt-free one other time in our marriage, and I don't really remember making a conscience decision to go back into debt, but it just happened. Of course, we had kids at home then so bills were a lot more (groceries and car insurance, which is now 1/3 of what it was when they were are home). We've been extremely lucky that we have generous relatives who give great Christmas gifts that really helped us along the way.
So other things in life - I've changed my daily routine. I'm now getting up early and going to the gym before work. I still get home in time to spend a few minutes with Todd before he leaves for work, and we now have all evening together. Much better than going after work - then we'd eat supper late and the evening would go so fast. Now I have LOTS of energy all day. I have a pedometer on my cell phone, so it's always clipped to my pants pocket and I make sure I walk at least 10,000 steps a day. Pretty easy on days like today when I had over 6,000 after my workout this morning. I've also been taking 10 to 15 minutes each afternoon and walking around the building where I work if I'm low on steps. It gets me out from behind my desk and I get fresh air for a while.
We've contacted our church to see about possibly have Dave Ramey's Financial Peace University there. It's a 13-week class (2 hrs each) that helps people follow his plan to become debt-free. We've never been to one, but have heard lots of good things about it. We've volunteered to be the coordinators, so if it comes through, we'll be busy with that.
I haven't put my quilt in yet. I haven't even sewn much lately. I've found I go in spurts. Just don't have any neat ideas right now, hopefully something will pop in my head soon. It's nice to see something at the end of the evening instead of watching TV all evening and have nothing to show for the time spent.
We spent a little time on Saturday night with Sam, Jason and Tyler playing with the Wii. That was fun. Tyler is really funny to watch play the games. Tab, Alyssa and Angel came over to our house for a little while on Sunday afternoon. It was good to see them. They were supposed to come over the weekend before, but ended up sick. It's hard to believe Alyssa will soon be 6! Angel is almost as tall as she is. They are all growing up so fast.
I have a new haircut. Instead of my hair all being one length, it's now layered. I'm still getting used to it. I can't put it up in one ponytail when I go to the gym now, but I'm dealing with it. Starting to hope it grows out quickly but also hoping I get used to it. I thought I was ready for something different, but sometimes change is not all you thought it was. lol
Sorry no pictures on this post again. Nothing much new that I have pictures of. I guess I need to download what I have on the camera at home and see if there's anything interesting.
Have a great day!

Happy 2009!!!! (1/7/09)

It's been busy around our house with me going to the gym every day after work. I tried sewing on my new machine on Sunday, but it was acting up to Todd worked on it for a while. I took apart an old leather jacket I paid $6 for at Mom's church thrift shop in Nebraska, and am in the process of making it into a new gym bag. The first one I made it still great, just a little bit too big. The leather one will be the same style, just slightly smaller. I found some really cool pink and white skull fabric at WalMart that will be the lining. I have the lining all done, just need to get the outside sewn, just one night should pretty much do it. The problem is that I'm so wiped out by the time I get home from the gym, eat supper and take a shower. Also, the new machine is still out in the garage and it's been cold here!!! 40 degrees is cold to people who live in Texas!! Today it's warmer, so I may go out and try to get some done on it tonight. As soon as I get it done, I'll take pictures and post them.
I did get some presents today from Kinsey Interiors - the interior design place in our shopping center that I buy my upholstery fabric from. They brought over five or so books of fabric samples. Not big pieces that I can make purses from, but lots of neat fabrics that I can make wallets or pillows out of. I'll try to take some pictures of them when I have a minute.
Other than that, Todd and I went to early church on Sunday. They were starting a Sunday School class called "Fireproof Your Marriage". It's based on a movie that was out in September (I had never heard of it), and is coming out on DVD later in January. It looks good and it was fun to be in a big room with lots of other couples taling about marriage and how hard it can be at times. I think we'll be done about the time the DVD comes out, so hopefully someone will buy it so we can all see it or I can find it somewhere to rent or buy for cheap.
That's all that's been going on in our part of the woods . Sorry I don't have any new pictures to post. :(

Christmas 2008 (12/29/08)

Merry Christmas, everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Christmas was supposed to start out on Christmas Eve with Tab, Sam and their families coming over for Chili, grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese ball and punch. Unfortunately, Angel ended up sick so Tab took him to the hospital to be checked out, but instead of giving him medicine, he ended up being sent to Dell Children's Hospital in Austin for the night, so they were not able to come over. He had a little bit of pnemonia in his lung and they wanted to watch him close. He had a breathing treatment (or two?), then ended up going home on Christmas Day afternoon. I sent their presents with Sam, so they could get together while Todd and I were gone. Tyler received a Wii for Christmas from an aunt and uncle, so they had fun all playing together.

Todd and I woke early (3:00 am) on Thursday for our drive to Nebraska. We decided to take a different route this time (well, TODD Decided). Instead of staying on the interstate, toll roads and such, we kind of took the back roads, still highways but much more scenic. It took us longer so we didnt arrive in Falls City until about 7:30 pm. Of course, we had both dogs with us on the trip so each time we stopped for gas or anything, we had to get them out to relieve themselves and to give them a little exercise, so that took a little longer. Here are a couple pictures I snapped on the way - I think these are in NorthEastern Kansas:



It was really nice to see Todd's grandmother and parents! His mom ended up going to the Dr. on Wednesday, and was told she had to do NOTHING for the next few days, so I was assigned to be the cook while we were there. It was kind of fun having someone just tell me what to do instead of having to decide everything. It was tiring, but still lots of fun. Todd's brother and his family came on Friday, then Megan, Dave & McKenna were there on Friday, too (I think). Anyway, we did get some FIVE Generation pictures.



Kate, Todd youngest, and her hubby came, too, so we had the gift exchange. We both received lots of good stuff as always.

On Saturday night, Todd and I drove to Beatrice NE to meet my parents and get Mom's old industrial sewing machine!!!! We drove through a brief snow storm, but the roads weren't bad. Falls City had a blanket of ICE Saturday morning when we woke up, so I was worried the roads would be bad, but a few miles out of FC the roads were cleared. It was windy and COLD when we met Mom and Dad to change the machine from their PU to ours, so after Todd had it tied down, we went to RUNZA for a quick supper. (We don't have them in Texas, so that is a MUST place to eat when we are up north.) Todd and I had a tough time getting the machine unloaded when we got home last night, but it worked and it's in the garage waiting to be cleaned and oiled before it gets used. I can't even explain how excited I am to have it! I can't WAIT TO SEW ON IT!!!!!!!! Here is what it looks like now:




Mom also gave me her button maker!

It needs to be sanded or something, but I can't wait to use it! For a while Mom used to recover furniture and redo car interiors, so that is what she used the machine for. I remember both her and Dad working in the barn and going out to help or watch. That was a LONG time ago!!!!

Anyway, Todd's brother also took some pictures of our dogs, Buddy and Brute. Their first "Photoshoots". I hope he lets me have a couple of the pictures so I can post them on here, but we'll see. He was going to do some editing so I'll give him a couple weeks before I e-mail him.

We left Sunday morning at 5:50am and arrived at home about 7:30 pm or so. It was after 8:00pm until we got the boys (dogs) settled and the PU unloaded. We were both exhausted so crawled into bed early since we had to work today.

After work I went to the gym for an hour or so, then we went to grab a bite to eat and get groceries. I made a chicken pot pie for supper tomorrow. It's in the refrigerator so all we have to do is cook it tomorrow. I'm working on laundry since nothing was done over the weekend, but will head to bed and hope I have something to wear to work tomorrow!

P.S. - If you have a couple minutes, you can click on the ads I have on the blog and help me earn some extra $$ to go towards my sewing expenses!!! LOL Thanks a bunch!

Finally updating my blog!!!!! (12/17/08)

I've been busy lately. We got together with the kids to decorate Christmas cookies and to celebrate Angel's 4th birthday (it was Monday, 12/15). Here are some pictures from cookie decorating:



I wasn't very happy with the recipes I tried for the Sugar Cookies, so if anyone has a good one, please let me know!

And pics of Angel opening his birthday presents:

We gave him money to go pick out his own present. I can't believe he's FOUR!!!!!

Angel's school picture 2008 (12/14/08)

Quilt top is DONE! (12/14/08)

Last night I finished the quilt top!!!!! Added the boarders and serged around the edges since it will be after the first of the year before I can put it in and start quilting it. I quilt by hand, so it will take up our entire living room and with Christmas so soon, I need to wait.

Here is the final result - the boarders add a lot! I made the boarder at the top of the quilt smaller so I'll be able to tell what goes on the top of the bed - a trick my mom uses.

I also took pictures of the Christmas tree and fireplace "mantel" - practically the only Christmas stuff we have up.

Todd put the stocking up this year.

And the fireplace with the lights on (sorry it's blurry, you get the idea).


Today the girls and grandkids are supposed to come over to decorate Christmas cookies and to celebrate Angel's birthday. It will be fun, but I still have a bunch of cookies to make, so I'm up early.

I also decided I'm going to make a purse for my sister for Christmas since we are heading to Nebraska on Christmas Day. I bought some more fabric at Kinsey Interiors Friday, so will use one of those. I'll post pictures if I get it done early enough.

I will have to work Christmas Eve, probably until 1 or so, then we'll have the girls and grandkids over to celebrate Christmas. I'm planning on a casual supper of Chili and grilled cheese sandwiches, then opening presents. Todd and I will get up really early the next morning (Thursday) to start our long drive to Falls City, Nebraska. We are taking both dogs and driving the pickup so that we can meet my parents sometime while we are there to get mom's old commercial sewing machine. I can't wait!

While in Falls City, we'll stay at Todd's parents and get to spend lots of time with Todd's grandma. Megan and family will come up sometime so we can get a 5 generation picture. We'll head home either Saturday or Sunday (at the latest) since we both have to work again Monday. It will be a quick trip, but at least this year I don't have to drive it by myself.

Better get those cookies in the oven.... :D

I'm borrowing photos (12/5/08)

of McKenna from Megan's myspace page.
Isn't she ADORABLE!!!!!!


And here is McKenna with her Great, Great Grandma (Todd's grandma) Rena from IL (she was the recipeint of the brown and orange purse I made).

Thanksgiving (11/29/08)

Our Thanksgiving went very well. All the food was delicious. My new electric roaster exceeded my expectations! And it was nice to get together with Tab, Sam and their families. It would have been nice to also be able to see Megan and Kate. Todd and I are STILL eating leftovers! Most of the new recipes will be in my recipe book from now on.

Yesterday and today I worked on my quilt. I decided to make it the size of our bed, so we can actually use it. Todd helped me with the design and this is what we came up with:

Here it is on our bed, I think I could have made it with one less row on the bottom, but I've got time to decide if I want to take a row or two off. :D



I need to add the boarders, then make the sandwich (quilt top, batting and backing), then it will be ready to quilt! That will be done later, first I need to make Mom's purse and get it in the mail for Christmas.

Our next quilt class is on December 15 (I think). I may go for a little, then skip the classes until they get to boarders, quilting and binding.