Gotta stay current or I forget what I’ve said and not said. Tomorrow night is the living nativity in my barn. Do you think I could post a video? I’m not sure I know how to do that. Any help?
1. Thank you to many of you who have sent Christmas cards. I sorta thought they might be a thing of the past. I haven’t sent any for years because I always considered the Goat Gazette and now this blog as my vehicle to keep in touch with friends and/or relatives.
2. Such a sad day for our friend, Jo, who lost her dog, Ruby, yesterday. How many of you read Jo’s Country Junction blog? She’s had a tough year and losing your best buddy after losing your beloved husband is almost too much to consider. And at Christmastime, no less!
3. I’m working on Step 4 of Bonnie’s mystery – which has been lots of work compared to the first 3 steps.
4. Here’s the other improv quilt hanging outside.
5. Surgery schedule – my surgery has been moved up to January 9 so this is going to work well. Connie will be able to fill orders when I’m laid up and I’ll be mobile again by the time she goes to Florida. Had my pre-op appointment today.
6. I have to share my sewing chair with BC lots of times – is this really necessary?
That’s all, Girls – I’m watching the Vikings and Packers and it’s a really good game – May the best team win!
I also have to share space with the kitts! Does anyone use a fatigue mat to stand on while cutting for long periods of time to relieve your feet, if so what works for you.
Tammi – I find it hard to stand for very long cutting and after the next knee has been done, I really should look into those anti-fatigue mats. Thanks for such great advice!
My friend has one in front of her kitchen sink. . . She says it almost makes you want to do the dishes,!!
Sad day for us Vikings fans. . . Still bleed purple tho’!!
Jo has definitely had a rough year—so sorry for her losses.
I , too, share my chair with Squeak. But, if something interesting comes on TV, like birds on Nature, she runs to the TV to watch that. Odd cat!! In Central Ohio, we are loving this warm weather for family travelers. Today it was 57. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to everyone.
Merry Christmas, Mary. No help with making a video, though. Sometimes I have to share the FOOT PEDAL with my little Pomeranian! Not an easy task😎😎
And, yes, I do use an anti-fatigue mat when standing and cutting ALL THE TIME. Think mine if 2’ x4’. Also have several on the needle side of my longarm. They really, really help👍👍. Bought mine over a period of serval years at the Machine Quilters Showcase which was held for a number of years in Overland Park, KS. Think the company was Ground Floor Tracking? It was a very odd name which didn’t reflect the anti-fatigue mats, IMHO. I highly recommend something like that to stand on. It really does make a difference for feet, back, knees, etc. Ever so much more comfortable to stand for even shorter periods of time.
My anti-fatigue mars are very much like the ones my hairdresser uses at her station. Mine are rectangular while hers are more rounded, I think. Mine have beveled edges which is nice so I don’t trip at the edges of the mats. The puzzle mats that Menard’s and other places sell are OK, but the better ones really make a huge difference when cutting for any length of time. Think mine could be close to 2” thick. So, it makes me taller when standing up to cut. This could be helpful for those who are vertically challenged😉😉.
I opted out of sending Christmas cards this year and I have ended up receiving more than I’ve received for the last 3-4 years combined! Go figure!
The grocery stores were madhouses today!! I had to go three times as plans changed around menus and kids. I now understand why my Great Aunt Fran always went on a cruise for Christmas. Travel may be in my plans for next year!
Blessings to all!!
Merry Christmas ! No mystery quilt for me. Sorry to read Jo’s post today. She’s had a rough year! Good to hear that your surgery schedule is sooner than later. Thinking of you!
Rosemary W – have you ever tried one of Bonnie’s mysteries? If you like to piece at the machine they’re really fun!
I, too, use an anti fatigue mat. I tried several in front of my cutting table. The bath mat looking ones don’t work very long. I say less than 30 days. Ones made for the kitchen have worked best. There made for standing in one spot. There are really thick yoga mats, I wonder how well they work. There about 1” thick.
We have had really nice weather, 50’s but, we still have a lot of snow. Funny, we went over to the neighbors tonight and their drive is still packed. Ours finally melted completely today.
I hope someone can help you with the video of the play in your barn. I think that would be wonderful.
I wish all friends a wonderful Christmas, safe and blessed.
Hi Mary! I have an anti-fatigue mat in front of my kitchen sink & it’s very comforting when standing do dishes for long periods. It did take a little time to get used to it being there. My husband & I tripped over a few times as we stepped up to the sink but we finally we became used to it 😅 Ithry also come in runner length & I’d like to get a couple of more for my kitchen as we have very hard stone-type tiles in there & they are not comfy!
Hope you have luck with filming your live nativity. Sorry I can’t help with that. Good luck!
We’ve had great weather here in my part of TN. 55+degrees today, 62 tomorrow & then mid-50s the rest of the week. Our daughter drove down from IL Friday & had good weather all the way down. Looks like she’ll have the same when she heads back to IL this Friday! 🤞🙏
Jan from TN – we all got lucky this Christmas with such nice weather – especially for traveling!
Hope you have an enjoyable Christmas Mary, ours will be quiet, with son ,his partner and our dog!
Merry Christmas to you and everyone else!!
Merry Christmas, Mary! I subscribe to Jo’s blog, and yes, she has had a tough year. Here’s hoping she and you have a happy and healthy new year!
Merry Christmas, Mary! And also to your husband and all of the critters that live with you. My Christmas card list has gotten shorter each year; it is about half of what it was 30 years ago. Weather here in north Iowa is balmy for this time of year. With Bailey tracking in and out, that means little muddy footprints on the kitchen floor. That’s OK! I would miss her if she wasn’t doing that. I have much to be thankful for and reading your blog each day is one of them. Have a blessed and joyful Christmas Day.
And Merry Christmas to you, Lois Ann! We fell off the Christmas card wagon some years ago, but I always enjoyed yours. I hope you and Bailey have a nice Christmas.
Love,
Patty from cold Vermont
Merry Christmas, Mary! I would love to see a video of your live Nativity! What a wonderful Christmas Eve tradition! Hope you find someone who can help you do that! (Lots of exclamation points in this comment, but I’m really excited about this!)
Merry Christmas and I’m amazed how fast you are repeating knee surgery. You are a brave woman. Thanks much for writing this blog. I always look forward to your Iowa quilting news! Merry Christmas!
Cheryl – I’m just anxious to be 100% by spring! And this time I know what to expect.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you!
Would love to see a Christmas video from the barn Merry Christmas to you. Paula in KY
Merry Christmas, Mary! I admire your bravery to do a second knee so soon after the first. I think your new knee must be so much better than the old that you are encouraged to get the other one done. Thank you for doing this blog which I enjoy so much. It is my only taste of the Iowa of my youth except for Winnebago visits in Forest City. Even if you can’t do a video of your barn tonight, I’d love even a still picture.
Pat Smith – I think my new knee is a miracle! So even though I don’t look forward to 2 weeks in my chair, I’m anxious to be 100% by spring. When I look outside I see all the things that didn’t get done last fall and it kind of gets my heart racing. Yes, I will definitely take photos in the barn if I can’t figure out how to use a video!
Mary – some day when you have time, can you post some of the blogs YOU follow? I love reading yours, so think maybe there are others out there that I would also like.
Quiet day here, hubs is home and we have church tonight before my son and family invade tomorrow. Wishing you and Rick a very blessed Christmas!
Diana Weirich – I don’t have time to follow other blogs except Jo’s – honestly! But Connie has several favorites and I’ll ask her.
I would still love a picture of your barn nativity even if you can’t figue you a video cause I would need one of our grandkids to help me do that feat. I still love receiving Christmas cards for their designs and so it inspires me to send them out as well. It’s a green, very green, Christmas with all the snow melted here after 50 degrees and sunshine. I feel so sad for anyone losing pets as we lost one of our dogs a week before Christmas and I could not stop bawling every day. It’s when my boss stepped in and said I should Visit a rescue shelter and my life changed for the better. I had just saved a dog that needed a forever home. She saved me as much I had saved her. Merry Christmas to you and Rick and all your fur babies,
Kathy in NY – what a lovely rescue story- once again, like people tell me, it would make a great children’s book. I still want to write books in my next life!
Snowing here as I am sending you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR WISHES, Mary!
Merry Christmas, Mary, to you, Rick and all the animals on your farm.
Your improve looks very interesting, especially with that little kitty peeking out on the border. So cute.
Sue in Oregon – I don’t see any kitty peeking out on the border – you mean a real kitty? Hmmmm……
Merry Christmas! Would love to see you live nativity tonight if you get someone to help you with that.
Yes, Jo Kramer has been through a lot this year. I also follow her blog… she’s so inspiring and honest.
Since I’m from WI I am lovin’ the Packer victory last night! Was very surprised the way the Vikings played or lacked plays.
Best wishes on this Christmas Eve day! 🎄
Sheila – you should never be surprised at the Vikings lacking plays – they have disappointed their loyal fans for years. I never watch pro FB until the big games so I’m never invested in any team.
Thanks for sharing your “I,’mDead Now What”book.. it is great…We now have one to fill out…
Merry Christmas..
Really enjoy your blog though seldom comment…hope your second surgery is as successful as the first..
Merry Christmas to you and Connie. I am working on Bonnie Hunter’s mystery also. I am finishing up step 3 and moving on to step 4. She said she is extending it into mid January so maybe I can get caught up.
You will be a new woman with 2 new knees. No one will be able to keep up with you again. And Connie should be good to go too.
Love the picture of BC in your chair, what a pretty kitty. I love all black cats and miss having cats here. The weather here is pretty nice too. We still have a couple of inches on the ground but the driveway is bare and that’s a good thing. I got more cards than usual this year, a sign of the strong economy? It’s so sad to hear about Jo’s loss of her pup not long after her husband. Such a hard year for her. I hope to start Bonnie’s mystery but still don’t have all of the colors I need! I have never done a mystery quilt so I really hope to get to it! I, too, would love to know what blogs you follow, Mary! I love the holidays but I am really looking forward to the New Year. Merry Christmas everyone! Jan from MA
Merry Christmas!!
I thought of you today, Mary, as we practiced piano/ organ duets for our Christmas Eve service tonight.
When I came home I finished a wall hanging for my grandson and his new wife!! (If I didn’t have deadlines
I wouldn’t get anything done)!! Now to vacumn and prepare last minute food for tomorrow.
Have a great Christmas Day.
Mary, Merry Christmas to both you and Rick, and your fur and feather family. I would love to be in your barn tonight. How special!
So sad to hear about Jo losing her dog . . . hoping next year is a happier year for her. Not sure if a photo got missed but I did not see the ‘other improv quilt hanging outside’ in this post.
Wishing a Very Merry Christmas to Mary, Rick and all that are on the blog. This blog is a gift that gives every time it’s sent, Thank you very much Mary.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all 🎄
First of all, Merry Christmas, Mary, Rick, and all the blog readers out there. Good luck Mary on your next knee surgery. I have a pair of crocs that I wear in the house and it is like walking on those mats all the time. I do have the mats on both sides of my long arm for free motion and doing panto graphs.
Merry Christmas, everyone. Love reading this blog, it makes me feel connected with all of you. Feel sorry for Jo, losing a pet is always so hard. I gave up sending Christmas cards too, as postage has become so high, but I miss it. I did not watch the Viking/Packer game, but Kirk Cousins is from my hometown, so guess which team I would be rooting for, lol!