Awesome Store

  Thanks to a home school Mom, I have found a most awesome store in Riverchase. It's called 2nd & Charles.
They have used and new books, videos, cd's, games, and much more for a major discounted price.
     Jessica has been doing Equine-ology  for science this year and has needed several books for the study. Some fiction and some non fiction. Many of them we already had in our home because I've had them since I was a kid. Like the Marguerite Henry books and videos. But there were a couple that I didn't have and we have checked many out at our local library. YaY for local libraries! But I wanted to her to have some of the good ones to keep with the study.
     So after dance yesterday we went by 2nd & Charles. I could easily spend hours in that place and several dollars. I found the Misty of Chincoteague and Stormy, Misty's Foal books. Both for less than $2 each.
    We are big C.S. Lewis and Tolkien fans, and I found the Lord of the Rings video's for less than $6 each. All three of them. Yes, I love the books more, but we enjoy the video's also. I was so excited! Today after our work is done and before the storms come to our area, we are going to have a movie day. More bonding! Love spending time with my Family!
   If you are ever near a 2nd & Charles go on in and check it out! But, be ready to spend time! Oh Yeah, if you're a crafter, check out the craft books, my goodness there are so many of them in there!
   Blessings to All ~ S
 The Quilted YaYa

Binding, Bonding...

    Finishing Rylee's quilt this week. I know I was supposed to finish it last week. I had the binding sewn around it last week. I had even started sewing it down on the back. But then life started happening again.
     Well, Life always seems to happen in our little home. But we seemed to be busier than normal. That's OK, because we have had a lot of fun bonding with each other. My children are so much fun to be around. Even more so now that they are older. I have found that we have become very good friends.
      Yesterday, Trigonometry happened. Some days my mind just doesn't want to focus on math. : (
Not that I don't like math, I actually find that I enjoy it some days. It's sort of like a mystery thing with me. Well not really a mystery exactly.  Since I have the answer book I know what the outcome is supposed to be. For me it is the process of getting to that answer. I do like puzzles and mysteries though.
     At any rate, I have one more little stretch to finish sewing down on the binding and it will be done. YaY! Then it will be time to start on the Monkey Quilt. Well, I call it that because the Mama to be that I'm making it for has decorated the nursery with monkeys, and I have chosen a small amount of fabric with monkeys on it. The only thing is I'm still having a problem with designing the quilt. I have it narrowed down to three now though. So we will see.
    Blessings to All ~ S
 The Quilted YaYa

Monkey Quilt Fabric

Rylee's Quilt

close up of embroidery on quilt.

Wednesdays are Wonderful!

   Wednesdays are wonderful around here. It's the one day of the week when we have no where to go. That means that we get to stay home and clean up our home, get laundry done, get our school work done without interruption, and discuss the remainder of our week.
     I loved it when my children were younger and we were able to stay home even more often. But now they are dancing and taking pictures, and involved with friends. I want so many times to just put my arms around them and stop time for a little while.
    Today we are working on finishing a quilt and then starting another one. This time I am washing the fabric for the quilt first. I like designing quilts on Electric Quilt, but this time I seem to have quilters block. *Sigh*  I have come up with several designs but none that seem to jump out at me and say "I'm the one!"
    I think that I will pray over the fabric a little more. I am sure that God will give me the insight that I need to finish this quilt in time for the baby shower.
    Yes, I know that I'm rambling but I read this awesome quote by Corrie ten Boom a while back and now I pray over every little thing that concerns or worries me. Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden. ~ Corrie ten Boom
    Have a wonderful  Wednesday!\
Blessings to All ~ S
 The Quilted YaYa

Birthdays

  Today is my baby's 15th birthday! Hard to believe that my youngest is old enough now to get her drivers permit. (We will be waiting just a little while though.)
   I spend every day with my children and have had so many wonderful times with them. So many memories. And yet the time seems to have flown by.
  Today my not so little one will get the meal of her choice, homemade Italian. I made the sauce two days ago and refrigerated it. Pepperoni rolls, made last night. And today I will make the chocolate pie, the pasta dough, and her birthday cake.
   Today I will pray over my child again, that God will hold her in His arms, protect her and guard her heart from the world. I pray that she will each day renew her commitment to Christ.
   Today I will hold her a little tighter, for just a moment longer.
   Today I will tell her an extra time, how very much I love her and how grateful that I am that God blessed our family with such a precious child.
   Blessings to all ~ S
 The Quilted YaYa

 Happy Saint Patrick's Day! We are wearing green today! Praying that the Almighty God of all Creation would be with you this day.
 
May the Strength of God pilot us. 

May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Host of God guard us.
Against the snares of the evil ones.
Against temptations of the world 

May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Salvation, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen.

Blessings to all ~ S
 The Quilted YaYa

Tuesday

   This is the 2nd day that I haven't done the vegetarian diet. I think I like not eating meat better. I know that I feel really good when I'm eating healthy. Not that I don't like the meals that we've prepared. I just like how I feel better.
    I have been busy working on the quilt for baby Rylee. I have to get it done this week so that I can begin working on another one for another baby. This one a baby boy.  (Pictures to follow)
   Tomorrow is another day, and I will be up early and working out. I lost 10 pounds on my 21 day vegetarian diet. I am determined to keep it off and continue to loose more. We shall see.
   Blessings to all ~ S
 The Quilted YaYa

Friday - Day 19

   Well, my 21 day vegetarian diet is coming to an end. I feel better than I have in a long time. So I guess the question is: Am I going to go back to eating meat again? Yes, but I will not have it every meal, nor will I have it every day. I have lost a total of 10 pounds and I intend to keep it off. I have started a good habit of exercising again and I will do my best to keep that up also. I don't get to exercise every day like I would like to, but some days life just happens.
   Would I recommend this to others? Absolutely! I would also recommend fruit and green smoothies. They are yummy and healthy. The nutrients are absorbed by your body easier and faster. I also want to say that it is best to use organic if possible. I don't always use organic because it either isn't available or I just can't afford it. Plant a garden, a square foot garden or container garden if you don't have a lot of available space. Research on line about how to go organic. Or check out your public library for books on organic gardening. You can make your own compost too from kitchen scraps. There are plenty of websites and books on composting too. Lots of ideas will come to you as you research.
   Think healthy!
   Blessings to all ~ S
  The Quilted YaYa
Praying for the people of Japan in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami 

Wednesday - Day 17

   Today has been a very rainy day here. I got up early to thunder and lightning. Read the Bible, and before long I went in to wake Kelly up so that she could get ready for work. That being done, we prayed together before she left and as she pulled out of our road she realized the car was driving a little odd. She pulled over checked the front tires, fine. Looked at the rear tires... ahhh a flat. Or almost flat tire. She turned around and headed back to the house, and as she got to our drive way the tire went completely flat. So, I had an alternate work out today, as I jacked up the car and changed the tire. Kelly held the umbrella over my head, not that it did a bunch of good. The rain was coming at us from the side. But, Kelly was already dressed in nice clothes for work, and now getting soaked. I got the tire changed and then sent her on her way, as we both praised God that she had only got to the end of our road before it went flat. Came back in the house and got cleaned up. Tomorrow I will take it to the garage to be repaired.
   After all of that I made myself a nice green smoothie with blueberries and mango. Then Jessica and I started on our trigonometry.  We got stuck so, we took a break and I went downstairs to organize the deep freezer. When I finished that, I was able to get hold of our wonderful math fairy, and she helped up get over the problems that we needed to do.
   What a day! God is so awesome though and He loves us so much that He can't take his eyes off of us.
 My verses for the day:   The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. Ps. 37:23-24
 Blessings to all ~ S
 The Quilted YaYa

Terrific Tuesday!

   Much better day today than yesterday! We woke up early, I got a 1/2 hour of exercise in then came up and showered. Yeah, I know, didn't want to take my daughter to get her drivers license today and Mom be sweaty.
   Any way... She Passed! I was so proud of her. She took her Bible today and read it while waiting for her turn. She had been so nervous yesterday and was so afraid that she was going to have the same officer administer the test. Today she claimed the verse, For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Tim. 1:7   She passed with a  93!  
   Then we went to Abundant Living and picked up our bargain share basket. Yum! We had peppers, and onions, and red lettuce, mangoes, kiwis, and strawberries, and more. Jessica and I couldn't wait to get home and make a green smoothie. I feel much better when I have had my smoothie for the day.
    Now to get laundry done and get some supper on for tonight. 
    By the way, I'm now on day 16 of the vegetarian diet. I have lost a total of 9 pounds! So excited! Feeling so much better than I have in a long time and the energy level is definitely UP!
   Have a blessed day~ S
  The Quilted YaYa 

: ( Monday

   Today was a sad day sort of.  My Dad's only sister passed away this past Friday and she was buried today. I didn't get to attend the funeral since she was buried in WV. But my thoughts were with my Uncle Al and my cousins.
    This afternoon, I took my 17 year old to get her drivers license and she didn't pass the test. She was so nervous. My heart just broke as any Mama's heart would for their child. But she is determined. We are going back tomorrow to try again. I think that now that she knows what to expect she won't be quite so nervous.
    At any rate I am off to eat my dinner and then go exercise, since I haven't had a chance to for two days.
  Blessings to all ~ S
  The Quilted YaYa

Sunday - Day 14

  Yesterday started out with my alarm going off at 4:30 a.m. I had forgot to turn it off. I really didn't want to get up at that hour on a Saturday. I reached over and turned it off but I was awake and by 4:50 was out of bed and getting things done. I woke my daughter up at 7, then once she left for work I went to make my green smoothie. About a minute after that was done the power went out. So that shot, getting the laundry done and any sewing that I had planned. The power was also out where my Hubby works so they shut down early and he came on home. That was the start of my day.
 The Veggie Thing:   Seven more days to go eating a vegetarian diet. Yesterday we went to my sweet Mom and Dad in Love's. They had bar-b-que. At first I was kind of heart broken because I hadn't thought to take anything from home that I might be able to eat. But there was baked beans, potato salad, and corn on the cob. So I made do and didn't mind not eating like everyone else. I did have a fried apple pie, but only one. My Mom in Law makes great fried apple pies. : )
   I have a precious husband too. Even though he doesn't attend church with the girls and me, he will protect our ability to go. His Mom wanted us to come over on Sunday (today) and he talked her into having the dinner on Saturday so that we wouldn't have to miss church. We love our church. It's very relaxed and teaching comes straight from scripture. We are always encouraged to be like the Bereans and study the word.
   With that said, I am going to close this post and start getting ready for Church.
  Have a Blessed Day ~ S
  The Quilted YaYa

Friday - Day 12

  Yea, I know I said that I'd try to post everyday, for accountability, but some days just get away from me and I don't get on the computer. Today is not going to be an exception. There is much to do, but I wanted to check in. I worked out this morning and for the last three days I have added light weights to my workout. The diet is going well. It is easier to walk away from meat and sugar now. Still want chocolate every now and then and when my 21 days are up I will probably have just a little. Everything in moderation. I think that is going to be the key to keep losing weight. Not add as much meat in my diet and stay away from the really bad stuff.
  Verse for the day - Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. 1 Tim. 4:8
   By the way, I've now lost 6 pounds. YaY! Clothes are starting to finally fit better. Not real loose, just more comfortable in them.
   Gotta go! Have a blessed day!
 Love & Prayers ~ S
  The Quilted YaYa

Day 10 - It's Wednesday

    Well, yesterday was errand day. I don't really like having to leave the house more than a couple of days a week. Yesterday was a day to get the house cleaned up and laundry done also.
    I did manage to get up and exercise and I went back to eating better yesterday. Monday I ate junk food and by the end of the day I really felt bad. Too much sugary stuff in my diet in one day. Back on track on Tuesday though. Started out the day with a fruit/green smoothie. It was really good. Cranberry juice, banana, frozen blueberries, spinach, carrots, arugula, parsley & lettuce. Don't crinkle your nose! It really is yummy and healthy for you! Almond stuffed dates for lunch and a tomato sandwich for supper. Had some popcorn for a snack later. The great news is I have lost 5 pounds!
    I just started reading a new book too, Green for Life. Very interesting. If you are looking to add something healthy to your diet try green smoothies. Better than you think. : )
    Today it is back to quilting too. I have got to finish the baby quilt this month and have it ready for the baby shower.
    I've been reading 1 Thessalonians this week and the verse that really has spoken to me is: This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. 1Thes. 4: 12  I like working with my hands, and my business is that of taking care of my family and ministering to people in my neighborhood with the things that I make with my hands. I love the excitement of giving someone a handmade quilt or homemade baked goods. The most satisfying feeling is knowing that a need was met and God used me to meet it. I pray that each day I am not so busy that I don't hear God's voice prompting me to do something for Him.
   Well, I am off to start my day now.
  Blessings to all ~ S
 The Quilted YaYa