Babylock Ellegeo

After lots of shopping and comparing. I fell in love (should I mention my husband fell harder then I did). With a machine way out of price range for us. Which is a good thing for me, since he made it his mission to find that machine for me in a price area we could handle.

This machine is the a very slightly older model. For me though it is the mack daddy of machines. This machine only needs me to program it and it does the rest.

Has a color touch screen and embroider with three hoops. As I finally made time yesterday to try my hand at free motion quilting.

I fell head over heels in love with it.

Had to call hubby right away to tell him how blessed and thankful I was for my new friend.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

For today August 25, 2010

Outside my window….

rain, rain and more rain. It is a soft rain the kind that soaks deep into the ground. Love days like these, they are calming and relaxing.

I am thinking…

schedules and how no matter how much planning you do. Things always are changeable and not the stress over it. God is in control and he will manage it better then I will ever.

I am thankful….

for a husband that cares about me. And bends over backwards to give me my desires.

I am wearing..

pink sundress

I am remembering…

all the God loving people God has placed in my path through the years. What a blessing to have been given. Some are still here and others came and went.But they all left a mark in some form.

I am creating…

free motion quilting!!!! Yes you read that right. My husband found me an awesome machine. I sat yesterday free motioning the Breast Cancer quilt. If things go well I will have it completed today.

I am praying…

for a friend just found her dad has cancer. My dear friend just lost her mom to cancer. She amazes me with her smile and her generosity. Watching her causes me to reflect on myself and how I react in trials.

From the kitchen….

ham, broccoli and cheese casserole with warm buttered bread

fried chicken drumettes

turkey with gravy and stuffing

country fried steak and mashed potatoes and country gravy

I am hoping…

this rain last all day. Will make for a real good school day for us.

From the learning rooms…

daily math lesson, LLATL including spelling. We alternate the science, history and bible truth. This year we are doing more reading and my children have already jumped on board when they heard they will be receiving a free personal pizza.

I am hearing…

baby girl watching PBS behind me. The two middle boys cleaning cages of their hamsters and the oldest out handling trash and morning feeding of the animals.

Around the house…

calmness be practiced, nice speech to our siblings and working together, helping each other. Morning chores are just about done and we will begin school.

A few plans for the rest of the week….

yesterday was the first of our extra curricular activities. This week end will be the kick off to our one orchestra. We have Saturday and Sunday with the MAYS. Then on Monday we begin our local orchestra through the local school system.

Here is a picture I would like to share.

momma cat with her new babies and her baby from her first litter.. He babysits, tends to them and cleans them.

 

To read more daybooks please visit Peggy at Simple Woman's Daybook.

Thank you for stopping by and being part of our family this week

Blessing to your family.

Tara

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

For today August 18, 2010

Outside my window..

have noticed the mornings are finally becoming cooler. 77 this morning, still will reach high temps during the day. Looking forward to no a/c and windows and curtains open again soon.

I am thinking…

about my friend and the trials she is encountering

I am thankful for….

God providing work for my husband.

From the learning rooms….

evaluations are done and turned in. We started the new year two weeks ago. So far so good. Next week all our activities begin, so our schedule will be finding what works for us.

From the kitchen….

country friend steak

turkey, stuffing and gravy

spaghetti

I am wearing…

capri’s and a top with flip flops

I am creating…

same projects

I am going….

out today baby girl has another Dr. appt. today. We have some other things to do while we are out.

I am reading…

school books hoping to get some reading done when all our activities begin back up next week. Have a pile of books I would like to read.

I am hoping…

for rain again today

I am hearing…

the children, couple of them are doing school the two younger ones are off task due to me on the computer.

Around the house….

morning chores have been done, laundry waiting to be hung, school being done.

One of my favorite things….

the ability to change up out day when needed.

A few plans for the rest of the week….

week is almost over, plans were to get all running around done in the beginning of the week. School and home maintenance the last of the week. But as my favorite thing says “change when needed”. Plans have been changed, my husband is expecting I will need to bring my truck down to him. So my BIL can work on it. Which is a good thing..

Here is a picture I would like to share…

kittens discovered this morning right outside our door.

To read more daybooks please visit Peggy at Simple Woman's Daybook.

Thank you for stopping by and being part of our family this week

Blessing to your family.

Tara

 

 

My own version…

I have wanted a Vera Bradley for along time. I finally made my own with all the matching pieces to go with it. 

 

Set includes purse, wallet, make up with match personals bag, I phone case, camera case and a sunglass case.

Close up of material.

I am so very happy with how it all came out.

Today I am using the rest of the material to make my daughter a matching set.

sewing machines

So many choices, when I get on line to shop I feel like I am over whelmed. Then fear sets in, so afraid of putting hard earned money in to the wrong machine.

I found a store that is a dealer of about 4-5 brands and handles repairs. So I am going to head down there and see what I can learn from them. Maybe take some of the ones I am looking at for a test drive.

The Simple Womans Daybook

For today August 11,2010

Outside my window…

The sun is shining, not a breeze to be noticed. Do hope that changes as the day progresses. The wonderful breeze makes the day so pleasant and enjoyable.

I am thinking…

evaluations and how to get them done. I had a plan and someone in line but I haven’t heard back from her. So now I need to call the other teacher I know and pray she has time and is willing to do them.

I am thankful…

i have a husband that can repair anything. I was in tears over the loss of my sewing machine. See my machine is not just a friend it is my therapy my get away clear my mind.

I am wearing…

a sundress

I am remembering…

yesterday’s event with the snake. Finding myself today, looking where I am walking. My oldest son (Tigger) went to pick up What he thought was trash.  not knowing it was a snake. All heck broke loose in the house. Had to move a piano to get the snake. Then it took off down the hallway for the children’s bedrooms. The snake went into the linen closet. I thought oh good this will be easy now. Instead every time I used the big tongs to grab the silly thing it got away. Off down the hallway it went again. My thought if it gets there I will never find it. And I am not brave enough to be moving things to look under. So with #2 son (Piglet)  using a long stick he helped hold it and keep it from the bedrooms. I was able to grab it, but of course it was with the shortest tongs. Really the short ones!!! Now I standing there holding a VERY ANGRY snake that is taking strikes at me. And I am holding it my the tail with short tongs, WONDERFUL! GOD PROTECT ME!  This is not my thing! So now I can’t get to a door every time I move the snake takes a strike at me. I am yelling for a bag, 3rd son (Pooh Bear) brings a grocery bag. No,NO,No we want BIG BIG bag! Tigger comes to his mom’s rescue with a big black trash bag we place snake inside and Tigger throws trash bag and all into field next door. He said he didn’t stop to see what the snake did. Thing was wiggling really bad in the bag. So as the boys were helping their mom, Where was baby girl in all this commotion? Standing up on the highest counter she could find the bar! Even after snake was gone she was still unsure about coming down. With a hug and promise from mom that the snake is gone. she came down and went back to play.

I am creating…

This is the special quilt I have been working on, it is because my mom is a survivor of stage 3 almost 4 breast cancer.  Wanted to help raise money for breast cancer research. due to all the mishaps with my machine it will not make it to the awareness banquet. So it is going to the lady it stood for my mom.

I am praying…

for God provision, protection and guidance as all our extra curricular activities start up here in the couple of weeks. I am also praise the work my he has blessed my husband with the last month.

From the kitchen…

We took a break from all the pork we have in the freezer for a few days. Had homemade pizza last night and it was so good.

Tonight I am thinking pork chops

I am hoping…

to be on top of school this year. Don’t want to fall to far behind.

From the learning rooms…

science SNAKE identification

LLATL

Math

History

Bible Reading

Reading

we are trying a new schedule seeing if we can be more productive.

I am hearing…

two boys outside playing. Still trying to figure out how they are getting out there every morning. They are able to go  outside with out me hearing any door. (wish they they would do that during the day instead of slamming). One of the joys of country living they can go outside like they do.

Around the house…

I am sewing, the children and I are all working on laundry and ironing. Yesterday we cleaned our rooms. I went in to baby girls and worked with her. I need to go into the boys next they just aren’t getting to mom’s quality of clean.

A few plans for the rest of the week..

eye appointment for 3 of 4 children that failed at their physical. Not sure how 2 of them failed but we will follow up to be safe. The glasses that Pooh Bear was prescribed back in November is fixing his sight, PRIASE! He was the only one that passed at the physical. Finish up some sewing and possible clean the boys room. of course school work and music practice.

Here is a picture I would like to share..

To read more daybooks please visit Peggy at Simple Woman's Daybook.

Thank you for stopping by and being part of our family this week

Blessing to your family.

Tara

 

 

Update on old friend

Hubby took her totally apart tonight found the motor had come loose and the belt was slipping. Well no more he was able to adjust it and fix her right up.

So that was good, but she still doesn’t want to free motion quilt. The quilt ladies had said the older machines seem to have trouble doing Free motion, which is disappointing. Hubby even gave free motion quilting a try. He realized the disappointment I have been feeling.

The praise is I can sew normally and can straight line quilt.

I am still set on having a new sewing machine. Will be going down to another quilt store to check out some other brand machines. After meeting the Brother Nx-450Q, I have to admit my eyes have begun to wonder and dream of a new best friend. Yet I do plan on keeping the old one around to be my children’s friend for the rest of her time.

friendship of 22 years coming to an end

I had a feeling a couple months back something was wrong.

I tried cleaning and oiling, It just made the popping sound a bit less audible.

Well this week end as I was working on that special quilt (pictured below) I have been telling everyone about for weeks now.

The machine decided it no longer wants to work correctly. Spent a couple of hours over at the local quilt shop with the ladies. And they confirmed that it is not operator error, not knowing how to free motion quilt. Dear old friend is worn out, only thing she wants to do is straight stitch. Which is ok in her old age, she can help my children learn to sew.

We have been through a lot together and I am not ready to part from her just yet.

Hopefully soon she will be joined by a new friend. That will do all that I am requiring these days plus some.

Spent the weekend shopping online and scoping out what others are using.

Most that I have chosen are out of range with the wallet. Such as my first choice down below.

Here was my first choice

Janome MC-6600P

then I thought if Kenmore has been great before maybe I should stay there so I began looking at this one

Then the ladies at the quilt shop showed me this one. I am so not a brother fan, but I began to fall in love.

Brother NX-450Q

Wouldn’t need to buy anything extra it comes with it all including the quilt foot. Their was a woman there that had hers for almost a year and was a die hard Singer. She loves hers. It has all the features that the Janome has above. But cheaper and can get here local and receive 5 free classes plus a few other bonus things.

 

 

Any of you quilting ladies out there that want to leave a comment and help me out here. The choices are over whelming.

I don’t want to be diving into this decision lightly. We are talking a new companion that I want around as long as the last or longer.

 

 

 

Camping, cooking on the open fire= FUN!!!!

 

View Full Album

 

Funniest part was when they all came back in the house with sleeping bags in tow and slept in the living room.

Woman at the Well

 

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

For Today August 4,2010

Outside my window…

I see the sun is shining, but I have the curtains drawn . It has begun to be nice in the early morning So I have been out walking this week. By the time I get back to the house the bugs are out in force.

I am thinking….

our fall schedule, about all the activities that are beginning in the next couple of weeks. Knowing that we will find a groove for everything as things smooth out.

I am thankful….

all I have. I am so thankful to my hubby for getting me back into a Suburban. Life works better with a family of six especially when grocery shopping.

I am wearing….

denim skirt and tank top.

I am remembering…

Sunday service and the words “What does your life show?”. What does my life show, a busy mother and wife. Is the surface, but does it show Jesus? When I meet new people or people that have known me for years, do they see Jesus in my life?

I am creating…

Still working on the special quilt. I sandwiched it today. Need to begin the quilting very soon running out of time. I can’t wait to post the photo of it here.

I am praying…

for my husband and his work. Gods guidance and grace. God to guide us with our house situation. We both know our dream is over with this house. We are just living here on borrowed time.

From the kitchen….

no set meals are in the plans. I know I should plan better.

I have a freezer full of pork thanks to the pig we raised. Tonight we are having a Ham.

I am hoping…

to be more organized this school year. Actually I need to be so that we don’t fall behind with the books.

From the learning rooms…

math books today and LLATL with silent reading.

I am hearing…

the TV. with children running in and out of the house.

Around the house….

putting most of our energy into school. Three are outside playing, well one learning shhhhhh…Don't tell him. He has become very knowledgeable with small engine repair.

A few plans for the rest of the week…..

no plans outside of the house as of yet. Never know what is to come about.

Here is a picture I would like to share…

the rescue helo. Circling today right behind our home due to a fire.

To read more daybooks please visit Peggy at Simple Woman's Daybook.

Thank you for stopping by and being part of our family this week

Blessing to your family.

Tara