I have been sewing but I will show all of that in another post but today I want to introduce you to LEO!
Here is the back story.... Hunter has been wanting an outside dog for a long time to play with and we have been wanting something that will NOT bite but will bark when someone comes. First off, there have been so many break-ins around this area and lots of time they just come in while you are home. It is sad but true that this is happening much more often. When I'm in the back of the house or upstairs I cannot hear when someone pulls in the drive and sometimes I can't hear them knock on the door unless they knock really hard. I CAN hear him bark and that is what I wanted! Does all of this make sense?
Buying a pup was not an option for us and we wanted a grown dog. Richard and I decided on a boxer. We had both had them growing up and love them. I had mentioned this to a friend and she told her friend, and so on. We found several but money was a big thing for us and we just couldn't afford to go out and buy a big expensive dog.
Then we got a call, from a lady at a shelter not too far from here. She said, "I've got a dog for you" We had gotten our cat from a shelter a few years ago and I know that the cost varies but this shelter is a "kill" shelter and they only keep them for 3 weeks before doing away with them. So the price is only $25 and you have the option of having him neutered at your own expense. I can do $25 but not several hundred like most of the others wanted. $25 is not much for peace of mind and also making your little boy happy.
I told the lady that I would talk to Richard about him and let her know. She said, "I will mark adopted on his cage because I know that once you see him, you will take him home" He is a 2yr old, full stock Boxer that had been surrendered by his owner. I don't know the whole story on what happened other than the owner had some health issues and was going through a divorce and he surrendered him. I didn't take a photo of his body because he is soooo skinny. You can see his ribs and backbone. So sad, but hopefully he will gain some weight soon. He seems to be a really good dog, very lovable and hyper. I know these dogs do have a lot of energy but that is what Hunter wants and I wanted one that would bark! He is completely housebroke and we did keep him in last night but he will be staying outside unless it gets down too cold. He has a nice big warm dog house out there and plenty of room to run and play. BTW...he was due to be put down on Monday. :(
When we got there we were early so we drove around and found a Goodwill. We thought we would go in and pass some time. The only thing we bought was a $8 sewing machine. This is the first "newer" one that I have bought and the only reason that I did buy it was because it didn't look like it had been used. When I got home and took it apart, I realized that it hadn't been used because the plastic wrapper was still around the sample bobbins that came with it. This photo was taken after I started taking it apart.
I figure the reason that it had not been used was because the lever that raises up the foot wasn't working. At first, I thought it was broken but the spring was just caught on itself. I fixed that and it works fine.
It sews great and all of the attachments are there.
It sure does have a weird bobbin. It is very big and flat. The bobbin winds in the bobbin case so that you don't have to unthread the machine.
As I mentioned, it hadn't been used I think because of that lever. When I took it apart I was going to clean it but there was nothing to clean so I just oiled it and put it back together. It has several stitches that work great too. I'll post a few more photos of the stitching and stuff in my next post, I haven't unloaded them from my camera.
I don't plan on keeping this machine because it is a newer one and I tend to like the older ones. It was just in too good of shape to pass up. I thought about giving it to my mom but then decided that I have a friend that loves to sew and make clothes for her daughter. She doesn't have a machine because her house burned so I will probably just pass this on to her. I've had so many Blessings in my life and I figure since I can pass on a good deed then I should. I know that she will love it.
Kristie
It's been a few days since I posted last. Life has just been a little busy, but I have been doing some sewing anyway. So here is a recap in no particular order.
Here is Hunter at McDonald's. Every year we take him to McDonald's before he goes Trick or Treating. He loves their chicken nuggets. His costume was in the truck that is why he wasn't dressed.
I've been trying to finish up my last 5 blocks of my Rocky Road to Kansas blocks. I have 20 sections to do and they are about half done. I can't wait to get this one sewn together.
I got a few more Bowties done, another applique basket, and my Grandmother's Choice block for this week. I am still a few behind on this one but I'll get them caught up soon.
I got this one quilted and off the frame. It was a big one measuring 100x100. I quilted it with a panto called, "On the forest floor" I love the quilting design, it is one of my favorite even though it takes a while for me to do.
Now on to a few other things...here are my boys being silly last night. These boys will never know how much that I love them and how very proud I am of them.
I can't believe that Andrew is 19, seems like only yesterday that I was bringing him home from the hospital.
Other things....Hunter had a dentist appointment yesterday. Just a cleaning but NO cavities! He still has 10 baby teeth to lose, but the dentist said that they all seemed to be coming in nice and straight so NO braces in his future. That is a good thing!
Hunter is going to be in the Christmas play at Church. He is a Wiseman. I am very pleased that he is doing this. Both of my boys have done this and it makes me very proud that I enjoy it so much. His first practice is Wednesday at 7pm. They are also starting up a youth group at Church on Thursday nights. We have a Thursday night service anyway so this will be nice for the kids to have a little extra fun learning.
Last but not least...this may be silly to some but I am very excited. LOL! My Christmas Cactus is blooming! I love houseplants and have had several over the years but the one thing that I can't grow is a Christmas Cactus! Mom bought it after Christmas last year on clearance. I had it on my porch all summer and at one point I thought it was dead. Imagine my surprise a few weeks ago when I noticed that it had tiny buds on it. I took this photo a few days ago, now there are more blooms.
Now I'm off to get some housework done before I head upstairs to sew.
Kristie
I received another package of pillowcases from Sharon! Thanks so much Sharon!
WE DID IT! Yep! WE had a goal of 100 pillowcases to donate to "For Jamie's Sake" a charity that helps foster kids and adoptions. These pillowcases are given to each kid that comes through their organization along with clothes, pillows and just whatever they can help them with.
I counted several times and kept coming up a little different but in the end WE ended up with.....101! This just brings tears to my eyes, quilters have such big hearts.
There were also a few books sent along with the pillowcases too. I'm sure those will be greatly enjoyed!
I just called the lady at "For Jamie's Sake" and left a message to find out the best time for me to deliver these 101 pillowcases! I'll let you all know as soon as I find out something about delivery!
To me, a simple "thanks" just doesn't seem like enough for all of your help and time with these pillowcases, but I do thank you more than you know.
Kristie
