Sew Thrilled!!

My parents visited a couple of days ago and they brought with them a wonderful gift!!

On the top of my wish list has been a sewing machine and a couple of months ago my mom mentioned out of the blue (I hadn't told her I wanted one, yet) that they planned on getting me a sewing machine for Christmas. Oh the joy that filled my little heart!! I immediately started planning all the wonderful things I would make once I gave myself a refresher course in sewing. About a week ago mom told me that they were having hard time finding a quality machine in a decent price range. I had been looking and thinking the EXACT same thing. So she informed me that she would be giving me her machine. I was shocked! Her machine is older but a VERY high quality machine. I asked her why and her response was hilarious, "because I don't use it. I like to think I will, but I don't. And I know you will." So Thursday my house get an addition, a sewing machine, cabinet and ALL of her sewing supplies.

My dad carries everything in and I got to laughing. I had forgotten about her sewing boxes. Once I saw them, recollection hit me, but I hadn't thought about those boxes in years! Well I got to laughing because they are 70's olive green plastic. There are two of them, a deep one rectangle one and a more flat rectangle just for thread. Now my wonderful mom had warned me that she had not gone through the cabinets drawers or the sewing boxes in years. That's right, years. So I started going through the three drawers and the two olive green boxes. We uncovered the treasures of Jo-Ann Fabrics, circa 1970's and 1980's. We laughed and laughed. Patches, decals, ric rac in various colors and widths, enough zippers to make a shirt out of zippers, buttons, thread (still in the plastic wrap complete with price tags), needles, needles and more needles. Four, count again, four seam rippers, three pairs of scissors, three tape measures, two pairs of pinking shears, four sewing gauges, two hem gauges, a never-been-cut-out Noah's Ark pocket pillow with animals set and various other sewing goodies. We cracked up! There were also some family treasures in there of my beloved Nanny's. Her last pair of scissors was in there as well as a little bowl with a lid that she had put a dozen bobbins with thread in. Thank you Nanny, I'll not need threaded bobbins for three months.

I have been reacquainting myself with using a sewing machine and I'm getting there! I found some flannel that I had packed away and you should have seen me last night when I realized I can finally make my own flannel wipes!! I made four last night in various sizes and shapes. I figured what better way to get back in the sewing groove by making wipes that no one will see but for cleaning. I can work on keeping everything straight and get some wipes.

Well, I have been up since 4 a.m. I have done and folded one load of laundry, two more are washing and drying, made and a few eaten caramel rolls (Linton's breakfast) and now written a blog post and its only 6:22 a.m. Pretty productive for a non-morning person.

I think I now deserve a nap. ~Smile~

By-the-way, I will be posting pictures of the funniest items from the treasures listed above, but I have to save some things for another post. Have a happy Saturday!!

That's A Mama's Prerogative

Late last night, this mama remembered that we had a half a bag of milk chocolate chips. Bad thing to have in the house and to remember at near midnight.

Too bad, I had remembered and I was off to the kitchen. Not only did I find myself pour a handful or ten into a bowl and melting them, I found myself looking for the jar of peanut butter (which I have to hide, but that's for another post). That's right people, I melted those chips, stirred in some peanut butter and enjoyed my late night chocolate goo. It was YUMMY. I chased it down with a tall glass of milk and not my normal 1% low fat you are on a diet kind either, nope the real deal--whole milk.

While enjoying the quiet and the chocolate goo, I wondered how many other mamas are up sneaking something from a secret stash or just up listening to the quiet. Probably too many to number.

I love my family more than words can express and wouldn't trade my kids for anything nor being their stay at home mama, but occasionally a mama needs some quiet time and chocolate goo.

I also wanted to give a shout out to a few women who have been instrumental in my life. My mama--she is grand and I love her. That's all I will say about her, because she will be getting her own post later on this month. My Nanny, who was the epitome of "a Godly lady". She walked in grace, she was elegant and kind. Never heard her raise her voice to anyone. Oh, if I could be like her. My head would probably hurt less. She talked about being Godly and she lived it every single day! My Mammy, she brought many giggles, funny little songs and yodeling into my life. She also showed me what a woman who prayed was like. If you would call Mammy and ask her to pray, she would hang up and immediately, I mean immediately pray. She was also a witness like I had never seen. There she was, past 60, Bible in hand going door to door inviting people to church. Visiting the elderly shut-ins that couldn't go to church. She would bring church to them. These three ladies all taught me something different. All of them love or loved me and brought joy to my life, but I can distinctly say what each of them taught me and how they influenced me. I pray everyday that their influence and teachings would not only sink in my thick head, but seep out of my life and onto others. I want to emulate them, for the emulated Christ.

Happy Mother's Day!!! May you all have a hot bath, many hugs and kisses and homemade presents, rest in God's peace and of course, chocolate.