My poor sick baby!

This weekend was spent at Children's Hospital.

Last Thursday night out of the blue Leighanna started to feel sick. She threw up, complained of a tummy ache, and went back to sleep. She woke up several times throwing up and feeling awful. We thought that maybe she just had a stomach bug and would feel better in the morning.

Morning came and she still didn't feel good.

We gave her some watered down Gatorade, and then some plain water. Nothing would stay down. She was developing a slight fever and started shivering. We tried to give her Tylenol and then Motrin. But even that was too much for her upset tummy and that came up.

By Saturday she said that she was feeling a little better. She still had no appetite, but knew that this was the day to go to Grandma and Papa's house to have Christmas.

She got sick in the car on the way to their house and then proceeded to get sick again once we arrived.

My sister-in-law is a nurse and she could tell that Leighanna was becoming dehydrated. We tried to force the liquids in her, but they would come right back up. She was also getting diarrhea.

We left early, and decided on our way home to see if our local Urgent Care was open. Well since it was Saturday night, they weren't. We headed to the ER.

Once there, it was apparent that she was still sick. The doctors ran a few tests and checked her urine. They ordered a CT scan which showed a slightly inflamed appendix.

Getting an IV into her proved to be very tricky. After several failed attempts and lots of screaming a retired nurse from Children's hospital came in and got one in.

I have never seen so many nurses leave a room in tears before. They hated that they were causing so much pain, and yet couldn't get an IV started.

They told us that she needed to go to Children's Hospital right away and called them to have an ambulance pick her up.

Did I mention that we were getting an ice storm with intermittent heavy snow thrown in between?

The ambulance finally arrived and got her ready to go. We followed closely behind them, and made it in about an hour.

Once we arrived the doctors did an initial exam and thought that Leighanna was indeed having appendix issues. The only thing is that after about an hour, Leighanna's pain on her right side faded and she was starting to feel a little better.

They wanted to do another CT scan with contrast, but since she already was exposed to radiation today, they didn't want to repeat.

They kept the fluids going, and continued to do tests to determine what was causing this.

We were finally admitted, and got a little rest.

By late in the day Leighanna was feeling much better and had actually wanted something to eat.

If she was able to keep her food and drink down, we would be allowed to go home!

She kept it down and were dismissed. Yay!

I know that I had a lot of people praying for her. Thank You all!

I am so grateful that she didn't have to go into surgery and face some recovery time!

Thrifty Fifty Update!

With extra days of work, holiday parties, Christmas tree trimming, and all the other things that go with the Holiday, I have tried to fit as much sewing into my busy days.

Leighanna wanted to do some crafting too. We took her school pictures and made these ornaments for her Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. I purchased this kit at a Craft wholesaler and paid only $3.00 for the kit. We could easily make another 7 ornaments with the extras.

Here is a handbag and matching wallet I made my wife. She has been begging for this for a long time, so I hope that she is pleased with the outcome!

I made Leighanna a rag quilt with her favorite colors of pink and green. I added a little yellow to it too to give it a little brightness. I have washed it 2 times, but I think I need to wash it one more time to encourage the fraying! I think she will love to snuggle up in this!



I used Kimberbell Kids personalized name pillow pattern to make these personalized pillows for my Mother in Law and Mom. I also made one for my niece.

Wow! Have I been busy!

We also made lots of cookies, candy, and other homemade goodies to give away to the bus driver, and the mailman.

I still have a list of things that I need to get accomplished. Hopefully I will have a few free minutes this week to get them done!

A date I remember!

December 8, 1984. This is the day that I married my best friend.

Twenty-four years ago in a small church, we exchanged our vows.

We were young, in love, and had our whole future ahead of us.

I think we were 12. At least when I look at this photo, I think so! (Don't worry, we were of legal age!)

We had no money, and both came from hard working families that scrimped to get by each week. We got married with no photographer present, no wedding planner, no full on reception.

Friends and family were the guests. We thought it was the best day of our lives!

We honeymooned in Cincinnati at the Kings Island Winterfest.

We took a sleigh ride, used roasted chestnuts as pocket warmers, and enjoyed the sights and sounds of Christmas!

This is our favorite time of the year!

This is a photo of us while we were dating.

Don't you just love the 80's glasses?

How big could they be?

So on this day, I toast my wife, and look forward to the next 24 years!

It's a Wrap!

Now that some of my projects are completed, or or nearing completion, I like to get started on the wrapping part.
When we visit family and friends and bring their gifts, they can't wait to see what their wrap will look like this year. (They have come to expect it from us!)
Most of the time they say it is too pretty to open. We have always wrapped up our gifts that we give others a little bit special. Call it OCD, but I figure presentation is important too.

Lovely box isn't it?

Stay tuned it will be!

Start by wrapping your box. I try to be as neat as I can on this. I even use a glue stick

to conceal the seam on the bottom. I don't like the way the tape looks. Again, OCD. Use whatever method of wrapping that works for you.

Now it is time for the bow. I don't like the bows that you buy in the plastic bag, that have an adhesive strip on them. They never stick and always fall off. They also don't look that nice. The ribbon that I use I get from a craft wholesaler. I got this whole spool of ribbon for $3.00. (That is a 100 yard spool! plenty for our gifts this year!)

The best kind of ribbon is the kind that florists use for their arrangements.

It has a little stiffness to it, and holds it shape nicely.

Now, tie your ribbon around your wrapped box. Make sure you leave some tails. We use those to attach the bow to it later.

Take your ends and using your scissors, dissect each end of the ribbon to the knot.

You can see the top tail I have done this.

Do this to both tails.

Now it is time to make the bow.

I usually use a DVD case or a Video case. You can use a small book, or anything you have on hand.

Start your ribbon and wrap it around the DVD 5 times. (I have made many of these bows, and that seems to give me the best fullness)

End your ribbon like this and carefully slide it off of the case.

Grasp it in the middle and fold it in half.

This is what you should have!

Now carefully cut the folded ribbon in the middle like this.
Take care not to meet at the middle.

Now carefully tie the ribbon cluster that you just cut onto the package.

Repeat those steps again and attach a second set using the other ties.

This is a good time to cut the ribbon ends into whatever shape you like.

I fish tailed the ends of my ribbon.

Carefully start pulling the loops apart. Starting at one loop cluster.

Grasp the loop from the inside and bring it out to the right.

Grasp the next loop from the cluster and bring it out to the left.

Keep doing this to all the cluster until you have them all separated.

I couldn't get a good photo of me doing this, so if you try this and are having problems. I will try to get a video up.

This is what your finished bow will look like! Now just add a gift tag, and get ready for the complements you receive as you give your gift!

On a side note, we are all Ohio State fans here!
I just made this hair bow for my daughter. I saw one like it at a boutique for around $12.00.
I had all the supplies on hand, so it didn't cost me a thing.
I used E6000 glue to attach the beads, the glue oozed out a little, but I wanted to make sure that they would stay.
I don't think you will notice it when it is worn.
Go Buckeyes!