Four Days of Freedom

I must say, this Christmas has been the best I have had!

There were a few bumps and screams, but it turned out to be wonderful.

I was able to have all the kids and my Army Man so I am more than grateful.

First we went to my mothers for Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. It was our first time in years to have Christmas at my mothers. Usually, we have it at my place or at my sister-in-laws. We knew a winter storm was brewing so we hurried from my moms on an hour and a half trip to my mother-in-laws. Surprisingly, the kids didn't fight....much!

Once at my mother-in-laws it didn't take long for the weather to start turning. It was time to make the forty-five minute trip home if we didn't want to get stranded. As soon as we crossed the border of Arkansas/Oklahoma, the Oklahoma side was a BLIZZARD!! I'm not exaggerating. We couldn't see. ANYTHING...except white. White road, white sky, white windshield! So bad that on a four lane divided road, people were driving on the wrong side of the highway. Scary stuff. But, believe it or not, driving twenty miles per hour and an hour later it was just barely snowing and we made it home fine.

Christmas Day we took the only kid to get to stay home, my oldest, to watch Avatar in 3D. Let me tell ya, that movie is awesome, and the 3D is unreal!! Since then I have been able to read a book for the first time in a very long time. It's called The Lightning Thief, a Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan. I saw the previews watching Avatar and knew they were books. I LOVED this book! Very very good imagination on this one and if you like Greek mythology, you'll like the book.

So, I'll shut up now, but what did you do on Christmas vacation??

My Loot

This is my winnings from Elaine's Crafty Corner.
I Love Love L-O-V-E the fabric! And much to my surprise she sent me two extra pieces of fabric to go with it! I would have a picture of the wristlet to go along with it, but the batteries went dead on the camera and I forgot to pick up more today.

Thank you so much Elaine!

Because my camera is dead, read above, I took this picture with my BlackBerry Curve. I made this for my daughter to hang on her wall. That girl is always making something, drawing, or asking for pictures of people, so I made her this memory board.

My camera is HORRIBLE! I bought it years ago when digital became really popular. Back then it was awesome. Now....not so much. The megapixels are really low and as the years have gone by and the many falls, it takes more blurry pictures than any other kind.

I want a new one and hopefully will in the new year. I don't just want any camera though. If I'm going to spend anything, I might as well spend it on something I really want. So, my dear sweet wonderful Army Man, if you happen to read this..... Oh nevermind, he's not gonna read this!!

My Christmas to Myself

Today I went Christmas shopping for 15 kids. Yes, that's right...15 kids! By myself I might add. I drove the thirty minutes to the nearest decent sized town (people around here call it a city, but it's an overgrown town) and fought with bumper to bumper traffic and people So not in the Christmas spirit. I walked aisle after aisle trying to figure out what to get who and I'll admit, half the time I was in this eyes glazed over daze at everything. People kept running their carts into mine, not getting to one side of the lane and knocking things in the aisle and NOT PICKING IT UP!

After a good three hours in one store I am happy to say that I have almost completely finished my christmas shopping. I still have to finish out my sister-in-laws (both of them) and buy for my parents and my husbands parents, but still.....I'm almost finished. I was so proud of myself for this wonderful feat that I decided I deserved a little Christmas cheer myself. hehe

I allowed myself twenty dollars for myself for Christmas. Here's what I got!

This is from Amy Butlers Nigella line. I got a yard a piece.

This is Joel Dewberry's Ginseng Collection from Free Spirit and I got a yard of each.

Now, did you pick up that I only allowed myself 20.00? Yep, I got EVERYTHING for 19 and something cents. The fabric was only 3.95 per yard. I about peed my pants. Theres tons more there, but I can't allow myself another 20.00 for a week or so!

I have no idea what I'm going to do with them, but I love them and can't wait to figure it out. I'm thinking of redoing a chair for my daughter in the Free Spirit.

I won!

I won a contest at Elaine's Crafty Corner in the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day. I'm so excited. I never win anything. You can hop on over there and check out what I won.

It's the cutest Fat Quarter 5 pack featuring Heather Ross Medocino for Free Spirit and Moda's Neptune Atlantis AND the cutest little tree wristlet! I love it and if I get it in time I will be using it for Christmas.

My nine year old, Emily, and I are already picking out things to do with the fabric. She wants something for her (of course). I am not positive but I imagine I will find something great to do with it.

As soon as I get the material and wristlet I will post a picture on here!

At p.s. i quilt Rachel is part of a drive to get quilts for flood victims in Ireland.

Before I read her blog I wasn't aware of the flooding going on there and it is very sad.

If you would like to be part of the quilt drive please go to her site and help out.

I know it's a busy time of year for everyone, but you don't have to send an entire quilt.

You can send just a quilt block. I plan on sending as much as I can get finished.