Gayle, it sound like you have a nice little vacation. other than the walking and standing. I can't do that anymore. You have a very nice looking family. Maddie is getting so big, she will be as tall as you pretty soon. I enlarged the pic so I could get a better look at everyone. LOL

Mary, I try to take the Amaryl before I eat, but sometimes I forget, especially when we eat out, and I will take it in the middle of my meal. I am good at taking it before breakfast. It's dinner where I forget sometimes, and that's when I seem to eat more carbs. I have a little pillbox I keep in my purse and have at least 1 Amaryl in it all the time, along with BP meds in case we are out longer than expected.

I would like that Cowboy Dinner you made but not DH. He doesn't like Mexican. He will eat soft tacos, but I can't make them spicy. And he does not like food that's mixed together. He wants to see a piece of meat, a glob of potatoes and some vegetables, all separate on his plate. There are only a few combined foods that he will eat, like Lasagne.

Our front door is old fashioned. I would like a new one, but it is in good condition and DH says it is good solid wood and to replace it with the same type of door would be very expensive now. It does what it's supposed to do, keeps out the cold, keeps out the villians, at least so far. Remember Mary, winter doesn't really start until Dec 21. It is still considered fall. We have been having unseasonably warm weather, but it's been raining for a couple days. I know we are going to get an artic blast eventually, probably sooner than later.

39 degrees right now, but warm inside. Dh had an early appt for a bone density scan this morning, he invited me to go to breakfast with him afterwards but I chose to stay in bed, but then my doctor's office called to change my appt so I got up then. I still need to shop for the baby gift and so once I get some menu plans and a grocery list made up will go out for that and groceries.

Dh drove to Portland to the company office and complained because he noticed they did not apply the proper trim to the outside of the door. I had not noticed this. Really glad he did! One side they put a light tan trim at least (similiar to the inside we need to stain), but on the other side it is very unfinished. There is a board there but also a hole down the side of it not covered at all! Dh went to the store so he could look at the door they have there and saw what it is supposed to be like. Should be the same trim as the door. So they said someone will be coming out to look at it. Although I like the door I am a little disappointed in some ways. I liked our old door and would have liked to keep it but it was so warped on top and had settled down so it wasn't tight and air and light got in plus the entry itsself was all worn, warped and cracked. So even though the door itself looked ok, we have needed the whole entry redone for a long time. I haven't seen it yet from the street, but it should enhance the looks of our home although I'm sure it looks rather strange with still the old worn out siding.:dizzy:

Carol - I don't have a pill box (good idea), but sometimes I put my meds in my purse or pocket to take at the restaurant. Most of the time I still forget though so still end up taking after I get home. Your husband's eating sounds like my youngest son. He has branched out a bit mostly due to his work taking him to China and having to eat with the company people there but he still won't eat a lot of things I fix. Funny thing, I have been wanting to fix my oldest son (who lives with us) some chicken and dumplings because long ago I made them and he loved them. So I finally made them (think I mentioned it on here), and I put in the chicken liver (chopped up) without thinking since I don't mind it...yesterday my son took some for lunch at work and while eating he got the liver and he lost his appetite! I felt badly because I really wanted to please him with this dish, but I just didn't remember that about him and he is not picky about most foods. I asked him if he liked it otherwise and he said he did so next time I have to remember no liver. On the other hand, I accidentally picked up his glass with the remains of his beer thinking it was my tea, took a sip and had to run to spit it out!! He thought that was VERY funny!

Yes I know winter isn't quite here per the calendar but it sure feels like it here! And the snow on the mountains has made the skin industry happy. Last year wasn't good to them.

It's 50 degrees here now at 4:20 PM. That's warm for us for December.

I hear you talk about your cleaning so much that I have to tell you about mine. DH started mopping the floors in the kitchen and bathroom since I had my surgery, but he doesn't do it the way I would. I don't complain because I really appreciate his help. Well, today I cleaned the bathroom, scrubbing the floor on my hands and knees, which really hurt, getting into all the corners and behind everything. I even took the toilet brush holder apart and scrubbed it inside. I feel so good knowing that my bathroom is now spotless! DH came to the door and said "What are you doing in there?" I said "I'm cleaning. I know you don't see this too often." LOL

I take so many pills that I have a big pill box that has a section for morning noon, evening and bedtime for each of the 7 days. I had an old one that you could remove the section for the whole day and put it in your purse and have all your pills for the day with you. That one broke, so I had to get a new one, but I kept one of the daily sections and I keep that in my purse to keep pills in it that I might need throughout the day. It's very handy.

I love chicken livers so I wouldn't have minded that they were in the chicken and dumplings. It makes me mad that sometimes when I buy a whole chicken they don't include the liver. My husband won't eat Mexican, or Asian and I like both. A really nice Greek restaurant moved into town recently and I can't get him near it. One of these days I will order take out for myself and he can get take out from wherever he wants, and that might be McDonalds. LOL I always tell him that the next time I get married I'm going to marry someone who will eat whatever I put in front of him. I am very adventurous about food and will try almost anything, except for bugs and grasshoppers.

New Here
 

Hi all... new to group. 57 and have over 100 lbs to lose. Sigh. Grateful for any and all support.

Elaine

WELCOME Elaine I understand the feeling that the loss of so many pounds sounds like an impossible task. I've made very little progress and will never even try to get back 100 pounds less altho I weighed that in my 20's. Now 1/2 century beyond that time I'd be glad to lose 30 to 40 pounds and actually KEEP them OFF!

Carol & Mary I love chicken livers, too but no one else in our family does. Occasionally I used to make them for my lunch, but now that DH is retired, too, I skip them. Tried some at a resturant recently and that will do me.

Gayle I missed seeing the picture of you all and will go back and check that out.

DD#2 is setting up her booth at the River Festival to sell her beautiful art work, including the cutest little paintings sitting on an easel that can hang off a Christmas tree. Sure hope she does well on Friday evening and Saturday.

Sandy

Gayle Found it and copied it, thanks.

Your very, very long days with Maddie sound like fun, but also exhausting. Glad you remember the good parts.

It's been a good day. Passed my vision field test again so still no glaucoma dx even though my pressure is high at 21. He said next time he do this high tech exam that shows the tissues and everything. He says everything looks good though with his usual exam and my vision hasn't changed. I told him my eyes are more painful than usual and he agreed with me I need to start using the gel eye drops again and probably also increase the times/day. So time to set the alarms again.:( The trick is to take them often enough to not have pain but despite the pain I can forget/get distracted and not take them.

Welcome Elaine! So glad you have joined us! I think its best to set small goals that are a little challenge but definitely doable and go from there. Although I want to lose all my extra weight, but I know I'd probably be healthier even if I only lose 10 or 15 lbs., so that's what I set as my goal and go from there. Even then if I look too far ahead, too many pounds it is overwhelming. I haven't been doing well for about 1 1/2 years now...as I got discouraged when a new med made me gain 10 lbs, then recently had to double this med! I've been the highest I've been in years and it doesn't want to budge..up and down 3# but that's it. Now I can't find clothes to fit or look good or be comfortable in so recently I told myself (once again!) that my belly has GOT to go, I hate it...plus I'm diabetic and need to eat better for that. I have not been in diet mode for quite a while now and it's not easy to get back into but just know I have to. So just know that we understand your challenge and how difficult and discouraging it can be and are here to support you in your journey. The thread is not just a diet thread though...we talk about everything just like old friends yakking. :D We often talk about our aches and pains/medical issues so hope that doesn't bore you. I suspect we may have lost a few people because of that, but we are getting older and it's kinda nice to be able to share these things too. We don't dwell on them, but do complain a bit, then on to other things, you know? We used to be a large group, but now we are few and like getting new members. I look forward to getting to know you.

Sandy you must be very proud of your artist dds. I have forgotten, do they all paint/draw or is the other one a different type of artist. If you ever get a chance, post a picture of their work.

Finally had the chance to look at our new door from the street...it looks very nice even with our old siding except it looks kinda unfinished because of the sides I described yesterday. Hoping they will correct this.

Dh has turned on the Christmas lights inside and out but the ornament boxes and tree are just setting in the living room until I'm in the "spirit." :D I need to vac the living room before I will feel like setting up the tree.

Carol, a clean house does feel better doesn't it. Even just a well organized house even makes me feel more calmer. Have to admit I usually just use my Swiffer with a wet pad to mop the bathrooms, however now and then I get down and clean a bit more thoroughly behind the toilet where it doesn't get so well. I'm so far off my cleaning schedule lately, things are far from how I want them, but I do a bit now and then. Dec is going to be very busy, what with babysitting at least two times, appoinments, service calls and church activities, shopping, and planning and cooking. Looks like I'm responsible for two big meals.

Wow you must take a lot of meds. We each use two weekly boxes, mostly they hold supplements but also a few meds. I try my best to avoid mid day pill taking as too hard to remember. I've heard of those break off day kinds, but have never used them. Once I talked to a lady who had tiny bags for her pills...she said you can get them at medical supply places. I thought that was a good idea to take to restaurants...hopefully I will remember to take them though!

Today I bought two little jammie outfits for soon to be gd. Wanted to get her a little dress too but didn't find anything really cute. Yet I saw all kind of cute baby boy stuff...don't they make pretty dresses for baby girls any more? Also plan to pick up a pack of diapers but forgot today, so shopping more tomorrow...plus haven't bought groceries. :dizzy:

Ok, gotta run...dh is ready to go out to eat. We are on Halo duty tonight so hoping she'll be a nice quiet, sleepy dog...;) Hoping you all have a restful night too.

Just had to post this as I found some very good ideas here...I have already put to use the magazine holder for food wraps. Some I hope to use later on, some I don't have space for in my pantry but perhaps you someone else can.
http://www.onecrazyhouse.com/16-pant...ization-ideas/

Hi Elaine. Welcome to the thread. Mary hit the nail on the head when she said we talk about everything, not just our weight loss. It helps you get to know the person better, like a treasured friend.

I tried every diet known to man but can't stick to them. Now I've given up dieting and am trying behavior modification. I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm satisfied, smaller portions. I limit starchy carbs because of my diabetes, but do eat some in small portions, and no food is 100% off limits. I feel better, and I've come down a few lbs, because I'm eating less. No more discomfort from stuffing myself to full capacity!

Mary, I take a lot of pills daily, but most of them are twice a day so it makes it easier to remember which ones I took when I use the pill box. I take 2 pills for diabetes for a total of 4 a day. 3 pills for blood pressure for a total of 5 a day. One for cholesterol, one for triglycerides, one aspirin and 2 fish oil. I remember when I worked at the mail-order pharmacy I used to feel bad for patients who would send in 17 prescriptions at a time, and now I'm getting close to that myself. I'm hoping that with weight loss I can get my blood pressure under better control. 5 pills a day is ridiculous.

I had a very good night as far as sleep is concerned, and I didn't take anything for it. I slept straight through until 5 AM without any wake-ups in between. That's unusual for me.

My grandson is not coming tonight for his sleepover. He has a birthday party to go to this evening. I was thinking that a party for a 7 year old wouldn't run that late that they couldn't bring him over after the party, but they live an hour away and probably don't want to make that trip. I was going to have him help me decorate our Christmas tree since he will be going to his other grandmother's for Christmas Day. That leaves our weekend open and I plan on starting my cookies for the holidays. I will bake from now until Christmas and put them in the freezer.

I will be cooking on Christmas, but our Christmas dinner is very casual. I bake a ham and make potato salad. The rest of what I have is finger food and snacks. There is no set time to eat, everyone just eats when they want, ham sandwich and potato salad and my guests usually each bring a snack item, too. Lots of dips with crackers, cheese and pepperoni, deviled eggs. That type of thing. Most of them also have other places to visit.

Glad to hear that your eyes passed the test!

Sandy, both you and Mary have daughters who are good at crafts and handiwork, and Gayle is too. I am odd man out, it seems. I used to crochet and make afghans, but I've gotten away from that. One of our dogs used to always want to sit on my lap and it was hard to crochet with him there. LOL Now I just can't get back to it.

Carol what a great solution for Christmas Dinner!!! I've always felt frustrated at guests arriving at different times, your idea would make this problem null and void.

Also, amazing to sleep all the way thru a night. Truly something to celebrate. Sorry your grandson won't be there to help decorate the tree.

Mary Wonderful news that your eyes are still OK. Eye problems are scary. Our almost son has Glaucoma and with his hours of driving I worry about Danny. He manages meds as he does his business - very carefully. It shows he is just my "almost" son, because I'm not a great organizer.

Our middle daughter paints with oils (magnificent large landscapes or of the human figure, I have several and they are beautiful.) She has recently begun painting with acrylic so she can price some lower with the fewer steps and much shorter time to produce. She is concentrating on mountain streams and botanical paintings. Her prints and cards sell very well, but she wants to sell some of the large paintings that fill the small trailer she brought from Oregon.

DD#3, paints with whatever is available, loves collages and has sold more of those than anything else. She loves abstract and mixes her colors in beautiful forms. Some of her paintings are in doctor's offices, and of course I have some of her's here.

My walls are full of fantastic art!!! 12" x 12" blocks of flower blooms climb up by the fireplace and across the door arch. My hall is a gallery of Art, mostly by family.

I used to love working with wool and needlepoint. Probably why my arthritis is primarily in my hands. (I developed an allergy to wool and was devastated. It is hard to be warm without wool sweaters and pants.)

I sewed for myself and the girls until the business moved out of the house with the Engineering office and I began as administrative assistant 10 hours a day.

As I did serious cleaning of our large dining/family room, in the corner on the floor I saw the wood puzzle of "There was an old woman who swallowed a fly." It is just right for our great grand children now. Next time I get one or more of them here I'll show them and tell them the story and let them put it back together. It is on it's 3rd generation.

Well dinner is over, but dishes not yet in dishwasher. I often do them right before I go to bed. I made an Asian beef noodle dish...the dish was ok (had garlic, ginger, spinach and carrots in it too) but the beef was kinda tough. Dh had to mince it up to eat it, and I just took out the meat and ate the rest. I'm glad I didn't use all of the meat...maybe I can tenderize the rest for another dish.

Today we finally got back to the gym...we are having a problem getting there these days. I know I need to be there and used to be dh was very disciplined about it so that motivated me too, but now he doesn't want to go because he's too tired and feels he gets enough exercise here at home...during the warm months he does but usually not when it's cold...and I'm tired too so it is just too easy to stay home so glad we went to day. After the gym we went grocery shopping at a couple stores..still very tired but pushed through it. Still need to do more shopping tomorrow as I just wanted to come home. Here at home I did the bare minimum but I didn't nap like I thought I would and I feel better tonight. Halo is doing really well at night now and we are sleeping better although it's still interrupted.

My latest problem: both my heels are sore...one more than the other. Being diabetic I was alert to it, but it appears just to be dry cracked skin, however I can feel a bump in the most tender one, so will get it checked. My feet have been extremely itchy, tingling, burning for a while now...on the sides, top and heels....I started taking mostly showers when our son moved in and when I was a tub bather my feel did not get this dry. I have started giving them more attention in my showers, followed by an antifungal cream and a diabetic dry skin lotion. It has helped some. I also injured another toe! What is up with this toe stubbing! It's healing ok, but every now and then one of these previously injured toes will burn for a few seconds...I think they take turns. :D All kinds of crazy things have happened since I got into my 70s!

Carol - I do the same thing only our casual meal is Christmas Eve. I serve different snack type foods with one main dish/meat. Ham sounds like a good way to go...I rarely serve pork, but dh loves honey baked ham and I like the idea of ham sandwiches. I'm getting old I guess..it makes me tired to have to plan all this.

On the meds, I think I've now outdid you even with meds..and it's not a competition I care to win! :^: I take 2 metformin twice a day, 1 Farixga in the am, and 2 Amaryl with dinner for diabetes for a total of 5 pills. I also take 2 different BP meds, one in am, one in eve, and 1 for cholesterol in eve and 2 Zantac also in eve for a total of 5 in the eve, plus early in the am I take 1 Nexium. Thats in addition to several different supplements including fish oil. I take 3000 of fish oil and it's usually in 3 capsules. I take one in the am and two at dinner. Like you I never thought I'd take so much meds. I took none until I has past 60 but have sure added them fast since then. My dad used to have a medicine cabinet loaded with meds and he'd keep some he wasn't even using because of finding out he was allergic to it. I'd throw it away but he'd keep it! :?: I keep hoping I'll lose weigh and maybe be able to drop some of my meds.

Sandy - The paintings sound lovely and I bet your home is lovely too with them! Carol must mean my dil, I know she likes to do crafts. My own dds do not although they have done a few things at times. One of my dd's used to like to decorate cakes but think she's too busy or lost interest as she buys her cakes now. ;) The other is an electronic musician/DJ and is always very busy with that. I sewed for my girls and even a bit for my oldest son but was never very good at it and quit when they got older. I'm more interested in computers, internet and reading. I'm trying not to spend too much time online these days though as I feel called to spend more time reading the Bible and praying. We have a lot of prayer needs right here in my family plus others. I've always felt this call but now I have the time or you'd think so anyway. I have to be very careful of my time as it is easy to get distracted.

We have trouble with Rusty barking so much when someone comes to the house, especially DH's one brother. He doesn't stop after a while like our other dogs did, but continued to bark and growl the whole time. We have a muzzle we bought when we had to apply cream to his back end but we don't like to put it on him. This morning my BIl came and is down in the garage. Rusty has started barking, so I put the muzzle on him and he wasn't able to bark. I only left it on for a couple minutes, and now he is only barking a few quiet barks and growls. If he gets louder, I just hold up the muzzle and he runs to lie down. I'm thinking we could use this as a training tool, as we are at a loss about how to stop this. I've been worrying about what we will do on Christmas when my guests are coming and going. We want him to bark and growl if a prowler comes, but not our invited guests.

Mary, it seems that when you go to the doctor with an ailment they instantly prescribe meds. With my BP, I wish they would try to find out why my BP is so out of control all of a sudden instead of just giving me more meds.

We don't entertain on Christmas Eve. When our kids were in their teens they used to spend Christmas Eve with friends, so DH and I started making it our time together for Christmas. Christmas Day was always very hectic when his mother was living, and then I took over after she passed away.

I thought it was your daughter who makes and sells clothes, or maybe she is just selling a clothing line. I guess I misunderstand something.

You really seem to be having a lot of physical difficulties lately Mary. A lot of mine started after I turned 50. I turn 70 next month so I guess this is what I have to look forward to. So far my feet are good, but I have a few other maladies that continue on.

Sandy, it would be so nice to have paintings in your home done by one of your own children. My step-son is very good at artwork but doesn't do much now as an adult. When he was in his teens he used to paint clothing... sweatshirts and denim jackets. His friends used to bring theirs to him with a picture they wanted painted on them. He was good and made a bit of spending money for himself. He's interested in other things now.

My artwork looks like a 5 year old did it. LOL

I'ts going to be another busy day. I have an appt for a manicure soon and dh is going with me as he wants to browse the mall. Then I have to go to Target to shop the registry for another gift for my new gd plus get wrapping stuff or maybe just a bag and bow. I often go that route. I've done most of my daily tasks here at home and if I can get a chance to vac the living room, we can put up the tree. Not sure though if I'll find time as may end up doing more shopping. Tonights dinner if I go with what I planned is a one dish skillet meal, ground beef, spinach, onions and garlic (of course!), and eggs. Not sure dh will like so may change my mind.

I did fairly well with my eating yesterday, got off a little bit in the evening but still ate much less than I was, but my weigh did not drop, even went up again .5#. I think it is because of increasing that med. I really don't like that med!

Carol - sounds like you've found a good way of training Rusty not to bark when invited guests come in. Halo barks a lot when she hears the door bell or even the ding ding (one of our security systems) but usually calms down once she realizes its ok, or they come inside. If we stand at the door to talk we can't open the door more than a little because she pokes her long nose through the opening in an attempt to get outside. She's a funny dog:) Some people are scared of her which is funny too because all she wants to do is love them up and/or escape the house!

Yes my dd just sells a line of clothes called LulaRoe. Speaking of artwork, my oldest son was sitting at the table doodling and before I went to bed I found a napkin with his drawings of a fish and some beautiful flowers. He used to draw a lot as a kid and was good at it but I haven't seen him draw in a very long time. Good to know he still has the skill.

Carol Your artwork sounds like mine! But, all artists need others to encourage and admire just as entertainers do. I enjoy doing that. Pat had a good evening of sales last night and was exhausted when she came in about 10:00 pm. Back out to her Booth today.

DD#3 came for supper and intended to go on up to Pat's Festival, but DH, DD and I began talking and were surprised when Pat came home. Then DH and Pat went to their rooms to sleep and DD#3 and I talked till 2:00 am!!!
I loved every minute of it even tho sleepy.

I took idea from Carol's Christmas ideas and just put healthy snacks of fruit, cheese, healthy crackers on table if any got hungry about 10:00 pm. Helped.

Mary Sorry your foot problems are such a bother. We don't appreciate what we put our feet thru until they begin to "yell" at us. I agree about putting really good moisture cream on during the winter season.

Carol Re your BP issues, I agree that the solution always seems more meds added. Note: DD#3 told me this good news, she is down 40 pounds, looks great, works out at gym regularly, and eliminated 2 drugs that had me scared for her internal organs. She only has issue with some diarrhea as she eats more healthy. I warned her about one of the fiber bars that has 9 grams of fiber and with her high fiber diet now, those bars are not a good choice.

Really cold this morning, but sunshine warmed the ground, destroyed the thick frost and it is fairly nice now. We get to stay home, thank goodness.

Gayle & Elaine How are you doing?

Sandy

Good afternoon GG's,

It is a nice sunny, but a little chilly day here today.

Head is aching today ~ Grrrr. I think it is possibly from having to use back up glasses because I lost my regular ones while on our trip. I think the back up ones are just enough different from my regular ones that it bothers my eyes.

The conversation about the meds ~ sadly, I think I win that contest ~ not a good thing. I take a med for high cholesterol, 3 for blood pressure, 1 for diabetes, one for osteo arthritis, 4 for rheumatoid arthritis, one for acid reflux, one for restless leg syndrome, then several over the counter ones that go along with some of these and then there are the as needed ones. Some of it is bad genes ~ I don't know if I could have avoided ~ like the blood pressure, cholesterol, arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as my family on my mother's side had these things. Some of those relatives were tiny people, but had bad outcomes because of the genetics. I knew as a nurse where I was headed if I didn't change my ways ~ but kept on ~ always thinking I would get around to it some day. So, I guess in part I have done it to myself.

Some of these things are aggravated by my weight ~ the obstructive sleep apnea, the acid reflux. But even with these and the blood pressure and arthritis I didn't feel like I was in too bad a shape. It wasn't until the last couple years when my health took a big hit with the addition of diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis that I felt like I had stuff I couldn't fix. Especially the rheumatoid arthritis. 2013 was a horrible year with lots of family problems (a bitter divorce for my daughter ~ with her ex and his mother being horrible, and the death of my father where my brother was just horrible) that caused awful stress and caused the diabetes A1C to shoot way up, and triggered the RA to start up.

Some of the things I might be able to help by losing the weight, but the RA, I don't think is something that can be fixed ~ only helped by the meds.

It was interesting ~ people watching while on our trip ~ and sad ~ so many young people who were huge ~ way bigger than me. It made me worry for them, and wish I could tell them to fix it now, because the older you get, the harder it is to fix.

Carol Sue ~ hope Rusty behaves so you and your visitors can enjoy your Christmas gathering. Glad you had a good nights sleep the other night ~ love when that happens. We did the Christmas food like you described one year at Sara's. Had it set out on the counter and people could just go get something through out the day when ever they wanted ~ just kind of snacking all day long. We might have had a time where we kind of sat down and ate together, but the rest of the time just kind of grazed. It worked out well.

Mary ~ I hope your feet are ok. Thank you for the article about organizing. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I love getting my stuff organized. There is a lot to be done here. I love boxes for organizing things and was able to get a lot of them when I was working at the hospital. When I was working and wishing I didn't have to anymore, I joked around that I couldn't quit yet because I needed more boxes ~ LOL. Usually for my organizing I need to find several all of one size ~ so working at the hospital was perfect ~ an endless supply of same sized boxes. Maybe I have a little bit of OCD. :dizzy: Some of them I have covered to disguise the box and make them look pretty and use them on shelves.

I have some of those little plastic bags for the meds like you were telling about. They are like a little tiny zip lock bag ~ thicker plastic than the sandwich bags though. I use them when we travel ~ that way I don't have to carry along all those bottles ~ it takes up a lot less room. I have found them at Walmart, or CVS, or even in the pharmacy deparment of the one grocery store in our area.

Sandy ~ your daughters artwork sounds lovely. Glad you have some of it in your home to enjoy. I used to sew many of my clothes when I was in high school. I still sew, but now it is things (home decorating type things for Sara) or little outfits for Maddie. I don't often do things for myself anymore ~ I can't just sew from a pattern because it doesn't fit as it is ~ I have to tweak it and if I make a mistake and don't figure it right ~ then I cut the cloth and it is wrong ~ well......It is less costly/easier to just buy something ~ be able to try it on and know rather it will fit right instead of going to the time and trouble to make it and when it is done ~ find out it doesn't fit. Sigh.......My little granddaughter Evie has requested a matching dress for her and her doll, so I have that to work on for her birthday in July.

Welcome Elaine ~ look forward to getting to know you.

Hope you all are having a nice weekend.