I'm Back

When I looked this morning, I couldn't hardly believe that it's been almost a year since I posted on the blog.  I decided that it's time to get back to it! There have been a lot of changes in my life over the past year.  First, the big announcement.  Mr. Mouse and I have officially retired!  I have to admit that it's not quite what I expected.  We had originally planned to retire on November 1, but the company where he had worked for 14 years suddenly decided on Friday, April 6 that his services were no longer needed.  What a shock!  Our entire life changed at that moment.  We waited until Monday and filed for unemployment and social security. We qualified for both, but as of today, we have received nothing.  I had always thought that all social security checks were dispensed on the 4th of the month, but evidently that changed and we will be receiving ours on the 4th Wednesday of the month.  So for now, we are trying to live as frugally as possible.

The grandkids have grown so much.  Krissy is now 17 and driving.  In two weeks she will be going to her junior prom.  It's so hard to believe.  She's been in the high school musical, plays in the band, sings in the chorus, plays on a fast pitch softball team, and this year started to throw javelin and discus on the track team.  James (whom we used to call Bubby) is now 14.  He still plays baseball in the Southwest Pennsylvania Miracle League, and now also plays on the Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey team.  It's really quite amazing to watch.  Izzy has also grown and is active on the swim team.  Jake is probably one of the smartest kids that I've ever known, and definitely has the key to his Grammy's heart.  He and Izzy both sing in the church choir.

The sales in my Etsy shop have increased in the last year.  I've added some new items, and am dreaming up some more.  I have started purchasing fabric from some new sources and the designs are exciting and the colors are vibrant.  Come back and check out The Frozen Mouse.

New Items on an Old Blog

It's been a while since I posted on this blog, but I have been busy adding several new items to the Etsy store.  As many of you know, due to limited mobility, I use an ECV (electric scooter) when I go out.  I had been looking for a bag that I could put on the tiller.  With my old scooter, I could just hang my bag from the handlebar.  However, my new scooter has a looped tiller.

I had made some Zip and Go crossbody bags, and decided that, if I used lobster claw clasps on the strap, I could unhook the strap, feed it through the loop on the tiller, and re-hook the strap.  It worked perfectly.  It can also be used on a walker, a wheelchair, or a stroller.  After using mine for a few months, I felt that a skinny strap would take up less room on the tiller, and more comfortable for those of us whose "girls" are a little on the large size. I loved the way they turned out. These are some of the bags currently listed on my Etsy store:  Stop by and see if there's something for you.

Mickey Mouse

Wicked Queen

Nightmare Before Christmas

Minnie Mouse in Black

My Granny Wore an Apron Every Day

THE HISTORY OF APRONS

THE PRINCIPAL USE OF GRANDMA'S APRON WAS TO PROTECT THE DRESS
UNDERNEATH, BUT ALONG WITH THAT, IT SERVED AS A POTHOLDER FOR
REMOVING HOT PANS FROM THE OVEN.

IT WAS WONDERFUL FOR DRYING CHILDREN'S TEARS, AND ON OCCASION
WAS EVEN USED FOR CLEANING OUT DIRTY EARS.

FROM THE CHICKEN COOP, THE APRON WAS USED FOR CARRYING EGGS,
FUSSY CHICKS, AND SOMETIMES HALF-HATCHED EGGS TO BE FINISHED
IN THE WARMING OVEN.

WHEN COMPANY CAME, THOSE APRONS WERE IDEAL HIDING PLACES FOR
SHY KIDS.

AND WHEN THE WEATHER WA COLD, GRANDMA WRAPPED IT AROUND HER
ARMS.

THOSE BIG OLD APRONS WIPED MANY A PERSPIRING BROW, BENT OVER
THE HOT WOOD-STOVE.

CHIPS AND KINDLING WOOD WERE BROUGHT INTO THE KITCHEN IN THAT
APRON.

FROM THE GARDEN, IT CARRIED ALL SORTS OF VEGETABLES. AFTER THE
PEAS HAD BEEN SHELLED, IT CARRIED OUT THE HULLS.

IN THE FALL, THE APRON WAS USED TO BRING IN APPLES THAT HAD
FALLEN FROM THE TREES.

WHEN UNEXPECTED COMPANY DROVE UP THE ROAD, IT WAS SURPRISING 
HOW MUCH FURNITURE THAT OLD APRON COULD DUST IN A MATTER OF
SECONDS.

WHEN DINNER WAS READY, GRANDMA WALKED OUT ONTO THE PORCH, 
WAVED HER APRON, AND THE MEN KNEW IT WAS TIE TO COME IN FROM
THE FIELDS TO DINNER.

IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE SOMEONE INVENTS SOMETHING THAT
WILL REPLACE THAT 'OLD-TIME APRON' THAT SERVED SO MANY WORTH-
WHILE PURPOSES.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AN APRON, CHECK OUT THESE APRONS.

It Didn't Look That Big. . . .!!

Years ago when Mr. Mouse and I were first married, we would go to the Christmas tree farm and choose our tree.  He always allowed me to choose the tree, and invariably when we got it home, it was huge.  My comment was always, "It didn't look that big in the field."

A few years ago, Mr. Mouse made me a table so that I could sew in the living room while watching the kids.  It wasn't pretty, but it was exactly what I needed.  It was the right height, really sturdy, and had casters so that it would move easily.  But as time passed, it became harder to move.  The amount of stuff I stored on it might have had a great deal to do with it, but also the casters just weren't rolling very easily.  So, I decided it was time to order new casters, more heavy duty casters.  Needless to say, I'm not a very good judge of size.  I found the set that I liked and ordered them.  They arrived yesterday, and Mr. Mouse opened the box and prepared to put them on the table.  Holy Shnikes!!! Those casters were huge.  Mr. Mouse wanted to know if I couldn't find a larger set.  I replied, "They didn't look that big online!"  And they didn't!

With the addition of these enormous casters, my table now is much higher that it was before.  I may need to use a booster seat to comfortably reach my sewing machine now, But at least that table will roll!

Life is Change

This is certainly the truth of life.  And today my life changes again.  For nearly 16 years I have provided day care for my grand kids while their parents worked.  It's been a wonderful experience - without regular hours.  I was available whenever I was needed, whether it be earlier than usual in the morning or later in the evening.   I have loved watching all of them grow up. It's been a learning experience.   I learned to cath Bubba and hook him up to IV meds when he came home from the hospital. I've learned to recognize the signs of a pending seizure, and what to do when it actually happened. I've learned to make "octopus hot dogs on a bed of sea weed".

We've made corn dog muffins.

We've made heart shaped pancake bites,

When they were all here in the summer, we had movie days where the lunch food coordinated with the movie we watched.  We did cotton candy on pixie sticks for "The Lorax".  They performed 'plays' for me.  They designed costumes.  

But today, a big change is happening.  Jake is starting kindergarten tomorrow.  His Mom took today off to spend the last day of summer vacation with the kids.  Yesterday, he kept hugging me (more than usual) and telling me that he's going to miss me.  When I reminded him that he will still be coming here after school, he replied, "wow, and we'll be smarter too."

To combat any sadness, I've been concentrating on the good things.  I will no longer have to watch children's programming all day long!  I will no longer have kids arguing over the Wii games!  There will be no  more battles over Minecraft games on their phones.(they are old phones that only play games).  But then again, my morning will not start off with hugs and kisses.  No one will ask me to open their drinks.  No one will help me fix lunch.  

And as I move on from what has been 'normal' for so long, I realize that Life is Change.  And I look forward to what the future holds.

Three Weeks and Counting Down

The next Mouse Family vacation is just three weeks away.  I feel like time is moving so fast, and I'm not near ready.  I've ordered some things off Amazon - a nightlight for in our room, a three-outlet surge protector with USB ports for charging our phones, new socks, a water bottle/misting fan, and eyeglass holders for Mr. Mouse's glasses when he rides coasters.  I make "touring cards" for the family.  These have our fast pass times, our meal times and confirmation numbers, and any other pertinent information.  Most of these are done, I just have a few more days to finish.  I also design and make Tip Envelopes for Mousekeeping, and they are done.

One of the things that we do is make our own shirts for the trip.  I like to design my own shirts and some for my family.  Here are some of the designs I did for this trip:

This is for our first day when we are doing the Star Wars Dessert Party

The Cheshire Cat is one of my favorite characters, and this was one of my Dad's favorite sayings.

I love Dory and sometimes I feel like I also have short term memory loss.

We always have so much fun with the Mad Hatter at 1900 Park Fare, and I'll wear this shirt to breakfast there.

The grandkids call me Fairy Grandmother because I try to make all their wishes come true!

I designed this one for my twins.

We can't really start to pack because we're still wearing our hot weather clothes.  I haven't done much sewing because I desperately need an eye exam which I have scheduled for Friday.  Have a good week.

What This Little Mouse is Up To

After finishing the Zip and Go bags in 4 fabrics, I have now decided to add to the wristlets.  So many have sold out and so I'm going to add some old and some new.  Currently, I've gotten two new Star Wars and two 101 Dalmation bags that I'm finishing up and they should be posted to the Etsy site by tomorrow afternoon.  After that, I have two Tinkerbelle and two Olaf bags that are ready to sew.  They should be posted by the end of the week.  After that, I'm planning on using some of the many new fabrics that I have purchased and not used.  Keep following - there's new items in the future.