Storage idea for balls of perle cotton

I love using perle cotton! I buy it in Progresso, Mexico and it's inexpensive and they have beautiful colors. But alas, ziplock bags with tangled ends of thread? No fun!

I took those plastic boxes with dividers and put a ball of perle cotton in each one. I first drilled a small hole in the bottom of each divider and a little slit (like on thread spools to hold the thread taut). I have a box for each color family (sort of) and can easily see what color I want. It's working great. (pat on my own back!) I may not be the first to think of this, but I hadn't seen it before. It's kind of like the pop bottles or jars with the hole for yarn.

I am overwhelmed. I have so much to think about, to figure out, to plan for, to get done, to not forget, to get to, to clean up, to rearrange, to organize... and all I want to do is the stuff that gives me peace... read with my daughter3, sew and embroider, sit with my mom, talk to my dear hubby, garden, bake, help my daughter2 get ready to move, visit with dd1 when she's here between classes. You know what I mean. I love organizing and straightening up, but not when I have so much to do that I can't get to it. Then it weighs on me. Okay, Linda, take a deep breath and prioritize. Lord, what is it you want me to do TODAY. Help me not worry about tomorrow. I pray for God's blessing and peace on your TODAY.

My Chicken Shrine ?

My family teases me about my Chicken Shrine! No, I don't worship chickens and roosters, but I do love collecting them. My precious friend, Judy, has given me several. The latest are the two little ceramic ones on the window sill and the hanging bell rooster. She also gave me the one on the sill with measure spoons in it and the cute rooster towel. I love the little quilted ones I made and put in the hanging window frame. My husband and BIL hav given me some, too. There are lots more

Homeschool Field Trip: Harlingen (Texas) Arts and Heritage Museum

With Harlingen Homeschoolers -- my only regret is that because we were in groups I didn't get pictures of more homeschoolers. We had nearly 60 in attendance from what I heard.

Look at the great old quilts!

Teaching what is really important...

Today I watched something beautiful. My oldest daughter, Jamie (27), teaching my youngest daughter, Erin (9) how to do "A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea" .... you know, the lap, clap, slap song... because as she put it, "You don't need to know the other stuff you'd get in public school (we homeschool), but you definitely need to know this!" It was so cute. I have wonderful children (yes, it's a good day and my happy pill is working).

My recent stitching...

Well, the wonderful ladies at CQ4Newbies not only sent me some beautiful cq blocks in the Hearts and Flowers Shower to bless and encourage me, but they stirred up my desire to CQ and embroider. I hadn't done too much of it lately, but I went in and made up a bunch of blocks and I've been stitching most nights and as much as I can during the day. The first three are the CQ blocks and then there is the Attack Cat wallhanging I made a sweet friend of mine who has been a blessing in my life. She is a true cat lover.

Which Austen Heroine Are You?

For Baby Bear Pohler Born and in Jesus' Arms July 28, 2008 1:06 p.m.

Our time with you was precious,

Memories we’ll cherish and keep
But sometimes all the might have been
Can make us weep.
Like a tiny, blushing rosebud
That never will unfurl,
Our little girl won’t grow to have
A chance to change the world. All the firsts you’ll never have —
First words, first step, first kiss;
We mourn the things you’ll never do
And all the things you’ll miss.
The perfect summer sunset
You’ll never get to see;
Laughing, dancing, singing
Sitting on Daddy’s knee.

We’ll grieve that we will never have
The chance to see you smile,
And while the pain may dull with years
We’ll miss you all the while.
Now, we may long to hold you
But you’re in another's arms,
Whose love outshines all ours by far
To keep you safe and warm.
You’ll get to sing with heavenly choirs
And dance down streets of gold
And laugh with those who’ve gone before,
Our loved ones, young and old.
When, someday, our time has come
We’ll run to meet you there.
‘Til then, with love you’ll always be
Our angel, Baby Bear.
~Aunt Jamie (Jamie M. Chase)

Cool! I was just added to ...

Posting nonsense

Hmmmm... I'm sitting here thinking that I ought to post more often in case anyone surfs by. But why? I'm busy, but it's not terribly exciting...

1. Setting up the roofer to repair hurricane damage
2. Straightening out the oxygen provider so they get Mom's tank filled
3. Dealing with paperwork with the doctor so I can get some stuff done for Mom
4. Getting a loan approved at the bank so Allen can buy his truck -- Got it, Hallelujah!
5. Schooling my 5th grader
6. In between it all, sewing and cooking and loving on my family.
7. Today I made a new apron out of the cutest pea pod vine fabrics.
8. I serged a bunch of hot pads so I can teach Erin how to machine quilt with them. She's got a quilt to quilt and needs to practice first.
9. I stretched lunch which was a chicken, pasta, peas and carrots dish with cheese and white sauce. I added a bunch more chicken, mixed vegies and cheese and VOILA! more lunch leftovers!
10. Oh, and I answered phones for a business today who transferred them to our home phone. Pretty quiet, though.

Not very exciting, but it's kind of a typical atypical day. I didn't leave the property once, though, and that makes a good day. I love to stay home. But... tomorrow is my all-day sewing bee that I'm going to with Erin and Christy. THAT I like to leave home for!
Hope your day was good.