The series of events:

Wednesday ~ I talked to the Apple service people. I was told to expect the special box they are sending to me for me to put my computer in to be shipped to the repair shop by Friday.

Thursday ~ The box arrives today! A whole day early! I pack up my Mac and take it in to the Fed Ex/Kinkos store to have it shipped to be repaired.

Friday ~ Apple service recieves my Mac. It's fixed already! According to my repair status page, it is being prepared to be shipped back to me.

Now, that is fast! Maybe I will see it on Monday. :o)

The series of events:

Wednesday ~ I talked to the Apple service people. I was told to expect the special box they are sending to me for me to put my computer in to be shipped to the repair shop by Friday.

Thursday ~ The box arrives today! A whole day early! I pack up my Mac and take it in to the Fed Ex/Kinkos store to have it shipped to be repaired.

Friday ~ Apple service recieves my Mac. It's fixed already! According to my repair status page, it is being prepared to be shipped back to me.

Now, that is fast! Maybe I will see it on Monday. :o)

Depression is lifting...

I tend to stay cheery and upbeat on my blog. It is a big part of who I am, however, there is another side of me that pops up every now again and that is the part of me that deals with depression and anxiety. I have been dealing with that a lot this week. Today is the first day all week where I feel like I can smile from the heart. I even got dressed. Make up and all! For those who get depressed, you know what a big deal that is.

Depression is a funny thing. I can say to myself:

My kids are healthy! Many parents are dealing with childhood cancer.
My husband loves me! Many women are on their own.
I have a home! Many are homeless.

And I can be truly grateful for those things, along with 100's of other things I could list, but the depression will not lift. Sometimes I feel worse because I have been given so much and blessed so greatly by God and I sit here depressed. I hate being in that place...

I began to read John Piper's booklet, "When the Darkness Will Not Lift." Though I don't wish depression on anyone, it's good to know that there are amazing godly men and women, who have dealt with depression, too. It's an encouragement to me, that's why I am sharing a bit about my depression and anxiety with you all today. Perhaps someone will stumble across my blog who also struggles with depression and will be encouraged to know that there is someone who understands.

I tend to stay cheery and upbeat on my blog. It is a big part of who I am, however, there is another side of me that pops up every now again and that is the part of me that deals with depression and anxiety. I have been dealing with that a lot this week. Today is the first day all week where I feel like I can smile from the heart. I even got dressed. Make up and all! For those who get depressed, you know what a big deal that is.

Depression is a funny thing. I can say to myself:

My kids are healthy! Many parents are dealing with childhood cancer.
My husband loves me! Many women are on their own.
I have a home! Many are homeless.

And I can be truly grateful for those things, along with 100's of other things I could list, but the depression will not lift. Sometimes I feel worse because I have been given so much and blessed so greatly by God and I sit here depressed. I hate being in that place...

I began to read John Piper's booklet, "When the Darkness Will Not Lift." Though I don't wish depression on anyone, it's good to know that there are amazing godly men and women, who have dealt with depression, too. It's an encouragement to me, that's why I am sharing a bit about my depression and anxiety with you all today. Perhaps someone will stumble across my blog who also struggles with depression and will be encouraged to know that there is someone who understands.

A person going through adversity is like a tea-bag; one will never know what kind of flavour (character) is in the bag of tea until it is placed in hot water. ~Anonymous

I am a wretch. Wicked. Sinful. Pride filled. Selfish. I am grateful for a Savior who atoned for all of my sins and grateful that He is in the process of sanctifying me.

...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

On a side note...I can get my Mac fixed for a flat rate of $329 by the Apple Care service. After I send it in, I will get it back in 4-6 days. That is good news and I am grateful!

A person going through adversity is like a tea-bag; one will never know what kind of flavour (character) is in the bag of tea until it is placed in hot water. ~Anonymous

I am a wretch. Wicked. Sinful. Pride filled. Selfish. I am grateful for a Savior who atoned for all of my sins and grateful that He is in the process of sanctifying me.

...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

On a side note...I can get my Mac fixed for a flat rate of $329 by the Apple Care service. After I send it in, I will get it back in 4-6 days. That is good news and I am grateful!

It's not good. It's looking like I need a new logic board to the tune of $800. :o( I am very sad...

It's not good. It's looking like I need a new logic board to the tune of $800. :o( I am very sad...

Mac is sick

My Mac is having a serious problem. I suspect it's a grahics card issue, so I am on my hubby's Dell laptop, which used to be mine before I became a Mac snob. I'm trying to find my way around. I have none of my favorites...I can't access my photos...This will be an interesting week. ;o)

I have a call into the Mac Doctor, so I hope he can fix it in the next few days.

I'm going to try and figure out how to configure the mail program on this thing...Should be interesting!

edit to add:

I have the email all configured...Confession....I realize with all that is going on in the world today, that my Mac not working is a miniscule issue, but I would be so grateful if it could be fixed easily and soon.

My Mac is having a serious problem. I suspect it's a grahics card issue, so I am on my hubby's Dell laptop, which used to be mine before I became a Mac snob. I'm trying to find my way around. I have none of my favorites...I can't access my photos...This will be an interesting week. ;o)

I have a call into the Mac Doctor, so I hope he can fix it in the next few days.

I'm going to try and figure out how to configure the mail program on this thing...Should be interesting!

edit to add:

I have the email all configured...Confession....I realize with all that is going on in the world today, that my Mac not working is a miniscule issue, but I would be so grateful if it could be fixed easily and soon.

Migraine is G.O.N.E.!! Yeah! I slept a lot this weekend and had to miss church. :o( I'm so grateful that I will be able to listen to the sermons via podcast. Russ, being the GREAT husband that he always is, took good care of me all weekend. He can rub my head just right. :o)

My sewing machine is in the shop getting a check up. I got addicted to sewing pretty quickly because I got desperate enough to get out my very simple sewing machine (it sews in zig-zag and straight stitch only) to toss a few pieces of fabric together. Actually, it's a new Crazy Shortcut Quilt and it's going to be a big one! Roughly 60" x 75". I have it done as far as I can get it without my Viking, so it's packed away waiting for it to come home. Apparently "the thing to do" is to label a quilt with your name, town and date. I have no aspirations to be a famous quilter or anything like that, but I do wish my mom had labeled all of her quilts, so with that thought in mind, I think I will label mine (even the bad ones). The other thing I was thinking about was somehow doing something in all of my quilts that makes it "my signature," if you will. Let's see, how to say this....Because my mom loved denim and I do, too, I've been thinking that I will put a piece of denim in all of my quilts in her honor, even if the only piece of denim is my label. Does that make sense? Anyone have any thoughts on that idea??

I have also been reflecting on how many wonderful women I have met since I began my blog. I want you all to know, that I cherish each and every comment you make and I cherish the visitors that stop by and are too shy to say a word. I know you are there, that's all that matters. :o) *waving* Hi, Loretta!! I thank God for all of you....

Migraine is G.O.N.E.!! Yeah! I slept a lot this weekend and had to miss church. :o( I'm so grateful that I will be able to listen to the sermons via podcast. Russ, being the GREAT husband that he always is, took good care of me all weekend. He can rub my head just right. :o)

My sewing machine is in the shop getting a check up. I got addicted to sewing pretty quickly because I got desperate enough to get out my very simple sewing machine (it sews in zig-zag and straight stitch only) to toss a few pieces of fabric together. Actually, it's a new Crazy Shortcut Quilt and it's going to be a big one! Roughly 60" x 75". I have it done as far as I can get it without my Viking, so it's packed away waiting for it to come home. Apparently "the thing to do" is to label a quilt with your name, town and date. I have no aspirations to be a famous quilter or anything like that, but I do wish my mom had labeled all of her quilts, so with that thought in mind, I think I will label mine (even the bad ones). The other thing I was thinking about was somehow doing something in all of my quilts that makes it "my signature," if you will. Let's see, how to say this....Because my mom loved denim and I do, too, I've been thinking that I will put a piece of denim in all of my quilts in her honor, even if the only piece of denim is my label. Does that make sense? Anyone have any thoughts on that idea??

I have also been reflecting on how many wonderful women I have met since I began my blog. I want you all to know, that I cherish each and every comment you make and I cherish the visitors that stop by and are too shy to say a word. I know you are there, that's all that matters. :o) *waving* Hi, Loretta!! I thank God for all of you....

'Nuff said...

'Nuff said...

Despite facing threats of disqualification, a 12-year-old girl took first place in a speech contest when she eloquently argued for the rights of unborn children – after an offended judge quit....(more on WND)

Despite facing threats of disqualification, a 12-year-old girl took first place in a speech contest when she eloquently argued for the rights of unborn children – after an offended judge quit....(more on WND)

You must go read the latest blog post on Cheers for Amanda...

*Tissue warning alert*

You must go read the latest blog post on Cheers for Amanda...

*Tissue warning alert*

The first two pictures are of my first attempt at a Crazy Shortcut Quilt before I took it all apart and started over:

Notice the horizontal and vertical sashing don't meet and there is some bunching.

Here is it today! Even though it was a pain to take it apart and start over, I am very glad I did. It looks so much better! I would call my first try at making a Crazy Shortcut Quilt a success. And, the best part is I made a new friend along the way. :-D

The first two pictures are of my first attempt at a Crazy Shortcut Quilt before I took it all apart and started over:

Notice the horizontal and vertical sashing don't meet and there is some bunching.

Here is it today! Even though it was a pain to take it apart and start over, I am very glad I did. It looks so much better! I would call my first try at making a Crazy Shortcut Quilt a success. And, the best part is I made a new friend along the way. :-D

My small quilt sample from Marguerita came today, along with an amazing surprise...Fat quarters!! Aren't they great? I love the bold colors. I squealed when I opened the package. Did you hear me, Marguerita? ;o)

And, a very special young lady from the Swap, sent me this Valentine. How cool is that?? :o)

My small quilt sample from Marguerita came today, along with an amazing surprise...Fat quarters!! Aren't they great? I love the bold colors. I squealed when I opened the package. Did you hear me, Marguerita? ;o)

And, a very special young lady from the Swap, sent me this Valentine. How cool is that?? :o)

New quilting table

Marguerita of Crazy Shortcut Quilts, has 3 great video tutorials on how to make an inexpensive quilting table. Rusty and I spent last night making one. The theory is I will make a quilt one of these days. :o)

I was tickled PINK when we found pink foam insulation.

I ran out to JoAnn's this morning and purchased the vinyl sheet for the top and cut it to fit.

Here it is, all ready for me to practice free motion quilting! I will be practicing on a baby quilt that I purchased for $1.47 at the Salvation Army. I removed the back that was on it and made a new quilt sandwich with batting and a pretty red material for the back. I bought it just for this purpose. I would much rather practice on something I am not bonded to, if you know what I mean. That's why the Crazy Shortcut Quilt I started is taking me so long to finish and why I was bold enough to contact Marguerita for help. I'm making it for Brooklyn and I want it to look as good as possible.

I'm off to give it a try!! :-D

Update:

The table was amazing! My quilt was well supported and the material would glide over the vinyl.

An example of my first try at free motion quilting. Normally, I would use a color that matched the material, but I wanted to see what I was doing AND, I wanted to use cheap thread for my practice, not my good Gutermann thread. Not great, but not too horrible, either.

This is an example why I want to buy fabric adhesive for basting my quilt sandwiches instead of quilting safety pins. LOL!

Marguerita of Crazy Shortcut Quilts, has 3 great video tutorials on how to make an inexpensive quilting table. Rusty and I spent last night making one. The theory is I will make a quilt one of these days. :o)

I was tickled PINK when we found pink foam insulation.

I ran out to JoAnn's this morning and purchased the vinyl sheet for the top and cut it to fit.

Here it is, all ready for me to practice free motion quilting! I will be practicing on a baby quilt that I purchased for $1.47 at the Salvation Army. I removed the back that was on it and made a new quilt sandwich with batting and a pretty red material for the back. I bought it just for this purpose. I would much rather practice on something I am not bonded to, if you know what I mean. That's why the Crazy Shortcut Quilt I started is taking me so long to finish and why I was bold enough to contact Marguerita for help. I'm making it for Brooklyn and I want it to look as good as possible.

I'm off to give it a try!! :-D

Update:

The table was amazing! My quilt was well supported and the material would glide over the vinyl.

An example of my first try at free motion quilting. Normally, I would use a color that matched the material, but I wanted to see what I was doing AND, I wanted to use cheap thread for my practice, not my good Gutermann thread. Not great, but not too horrible, either.

This is an example why I want to buy fabric adhesive for basting my quilt sandwiches instead of quilting safety pins. LOL!

Excuse me???!!!!

Once a month, a supervising teacher comes to visit our home to make sure I am really educating my children and not allowing them to sit in front of a TV all day...Yes, there are people who do that and it makes my blood boil to have them be the ones featured on the news while the hundreds of thousands other homeschooling families who are doing it right get ignored...But I digress...

Mitchell is sharing about what he is doing and how much he loves his math (thank you, Math-U-See). He then shares this lovely piece of information....

"Yeah, Reagan helped me with my math because mom was passed out."

Just for the record...I am not drinking. I was simply taking a nap. :o) All I have to say is that it's a good thing he is cute...

Once a month, a supervising teacher comes to visit our home to make sure I am really educating my children and not allowing them to sit in front of a TV all day...Yes, there are people who do that and it makes my blood boil to have them be the ones featured on the news while the hundreds of thousands other homeschooling families who are doing it right get ignored...But I digress...

Mitchell is sharing about what he is doing and how much he loves his math (thank you, Math-U-See). He then shares this lovely piece of information....

"Yeah, Reagan helped me with my math because mom was passed out."

Just for the record...I am not drinking. I was simply taking a nap. :o) All I have to say is that it's a good thing he is cute...

Childhood Memories Friday

First things first, lest you get in trouble like Reagan just did. I know the items you will see are dusty. If it bothers anyone, you are more than welcome to come take care of that for me. After I informed Reagan of that, he decided they looked just fine to him. ;o)

Now that that's out of the way...I'm going to share a few things from my printer's drawer from my childhood.
The "J" pin was my mother's mother. Her name was Josephine. Not Josie, though you could get away with calling her Jo. Never Josie! Her title was "mother", not "ma" or "mom." She wore gaudy jewelry.

The house block came from a set of building blocks we once had.

Grandma Josephine's pin from a hairstyling school. She got into BIG trouble with my mom once. My sister had very long and beautiful hair when she was 3. Grandma cut it super short and permed it, without asking my mom!! Mom didn't talk to her mother for as long, long time.

This is my highschool class right. My mom said I could only get silver. I wanted gold. And I had to get the free stone, a black onyx, instead of a pretty colored stone. I wore it for less than a month. However, my sister got a gold highschool ring with a pretty stone. No, I am not bitter. ;o)

My Bluebird Girls key chain and my roller skate's key. I used to wear the key on a black velvet rope around my neck. I can still feel it swaying back and forth as I skated up and down the sidewalk in front of my house.

A Campfire Girl token of some sort and my Blue Bird girl's ring. I don't see any dust? Do you??


I have no idea where the Peru pin came from or where the bus token came from. I've never ridden the city bus.

A couple of my birth stone rings. I paid $1 for each of them at the local jewelry store in town.

A sample bottle of my mom's favorite perfume. My mom made the cake for me after I was grown and out of the house. She was into ceramics for a while. I don't think there was a craft she didn't try at least once.
One of two heart shaped barrettes that once belonged to my nieces. I had Haley wear it in her 3-year-old portrait. I'd love to have Brooklyn wear them in a picture some day. :o)

I have no idea where I got the Coke bottle. Isn't it cute?!

This is a small clay vase that once had straw flowers glued in it. My mom painted the picture of the birds on it. It matched the wallpaper that was in my room.


Come join us on Childhood Memories Friday.
Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~From the television show The Wonder Years

First things first, lest you get in trouble like Reagan just did. I know the items you will see are dusty. If it bothers anyone, you are more than welcome to come take care of that for me. After I informed Reagan of that, he decided they looked just fine to him. ;o)

Now that that's out of the way...I'm going to share a few things from my printer's drawer from my childhood.
The "J" pin was my mother's mother. Her name was Josephine. Not Josie, though you could get away with calling her Jo. Never Josie! Her title was "mother", not "ma" or "mom." She wore gaudy jewelry.

The house block came from a set of building blocks we once had.

Grandma Josephine's pin from a hairstyling school. She got into BIG trouble with my mom once. My sister had very long and beautiful hair when she was 3. Grandma cut it super short and permed it, without asking my mom!! Mom didn't talk to her mother for as long, long time.

This is my highschool class right. My mom said I could only get silver. I wanted gold. And I had to get the free stone, a black onyx, instead of a pretty colored stone. I wore it for less than a month. However, my sister got a gold highschool ring with a pretty stone. No, I am not bitter. ;o)

My Bluebird Girls key chain and my roller skate's key. I used to wear the key on a black velvet rope around my neck. I can still feel it swaying back and forth as I skated up and down the sidewalk in front of my house.

A Campfire Girl token of some sort and my Blue Bird girl's ring. I don't see any dust? Do you??


I have no idea where the Peru pin came from or where the bus token came from. I've never ridden the city bus.

A couple of my birth stone rings. I paid $1 for each of them at the local jewelry store in town.

A sample bottle of my mom's favorite perfume. My mom made the cake for me after I was grown and out of the house. She was into ceramics for a while. I don't think there was a craft she didn't try at least once.
One of two heart shaped barrettes that once belonged to my nieces. I had Haley wear it in her 3-year-old portrait. I'd love to have Brooklyn wear them in a picture some day. :o)

I have no idea where I got the Coke bottle. Isn't it cute?!

This is a small clay vase that once had straw flowers glued in it. My mom painted the picture of the birds on it. It matched the wallpaper that was in my room.


Come join us on Childhood Memories Friday.
Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~From the television show The Wonder Years

I am going to detour from the things in my house and take a few Thursday's to show you Things in My Momma's House.

My momma's house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was built in 1867 by Steven Langworthy for Sewall Spaulding Farwell who was a major during the Civil War. The house was revised around the turn of the century, again in the 1920s, and then restored in the 1970s. She moved there long after I was grown, so I never had the opportunity to live in it. It has wonderful nooks and crannies. My older children loved staying over night there and spent hours exploring the house and the very large property.

Everyone who walks through the front door in my momma's home is greeted with the portraits of her 3 children. We each had our portrait done when we were 3. I'm the cute one. ;o) Due to my sister being very ill and I don't think my brother has any desire to have his picture, I have a feeling they will end up at my house at some point. I love the wallpaper!!

On the other side of the hall, heading up the front staircase (there is a back staircase in the kitchen), my momma has her mother's hats on display. I have no idea if the child's outfit belonged to anyone in the family, but it does look cute with the display.

This is who greets you at the top of the stairs. My boys have always been fascinated with him. I think he came with the house, but I'm not sure. He seems to *fit*, don't you think?


Come join MommySweetMom for Things In My House Thursday and share the things in your house!!

I am going to detour from the things in my house and take a few Thursday's to show you Things in My Momma's House.

My momma's house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was built in 1867 by Steven Langworthy for Sewall Spaulding Farwell who was a major during the Civil War. The house was revised around the turn of the century, again in the 1920s, and then restored in the 1970s. She moved there long after I was grown, so I never had the opportunity to live in it. It has wonderful nooks and crannies. My older children loved staying over night there and spent hours exploring the house and the very large property.

Everyone who walks through the front door in my momma's home is greeted with the portraits of her 3 children. We each had our portrait done when we were 3. I'm the cute one. ;o) Due to my sister being very ill and I don't think my brother has any desire to have his picture, I have a feeling they will end up at my house at some point. I love the wallpaper!!

On the other side of the hall, heading up the front staircase (there is a back staircase in the kitchen), my momma has her mother's hats on display. I have no idea if the child's outfit belonged to anyone in the family, but it does look cute with the display.

This is who greets you at the top of the stairs. My boys have always been fascinated with him. I think he came with the house, but I'm not sure. He seems to *fit*, don't you think?


Come join MommySweetMom for Things In My House Thursday and share the things in your house!!

I think he loves me, too....

I think he loves me, too....