In other news.....

While I've been totally excited over Skittles new little kittens, Jena has been overjoyed with getting her new car on Saturday. Since she wrecked her car the week before she's been taking the van or my car to work and she was so excited to get her new car! Needless to say, I think the car dealership likes Jena as a customer - two brand new cars in less than 3 months!?!?

Krissa is still in Florida, looking for a job. Sometime I wonder if she's ever coming home. :) Her initial goal was to come home the 9th & 10th, which changed into the 12th & 13th, which now has become to this Tuesday and Wednesday. She has an interview in Greenville, SC on Tuesday. After that she plans to drive to Birmingham to stay the night with a friend and then on home. I'll actually believe she's coming home when and if she arrives late Wednesday night. As Jena said, "I'll believe it when I see it." I agree!

She's excited about seeing Skittles kittens since she never got to see Tibbles, but I warned her she wouldn't be greeted warmly by the mommy kitty. In fact, Skittles has never really liked Kris, so I'm sure she won't appreciate Krissa touching her kittens.

We started a new series in Kid's Club this past week. Terri is teaching on Jesus parables, I'm doing the memory work of memorizing books of the Bible and the Ten Commandments and Jena is in charge of games. Last Wednesday most of the kids were back from Christmas break and ready for another year.

I've been extremely busy keeping up with business details. Usually January/February is a little slower than other months, but it seems I can't get to bed before 12am. And even then, my full list for the day isn't crossed out. I'm cutting out some things that aren't a must-to-do and hopefully after classes start in February, things will slow down just a little. But I have to admit, I'm totally thrilled about the online and local quilt class I have coming up in February. If you don't hear from me for a while on here, you'll know why! :)

"Let's play the Move My Kittens Game"

Oh, please let's not! Yesterday I was thinking that Skittles hadn't been moving her kittens as she had back in July with her first litter, so maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't do that this time!

Just what was I thinking?????

It all started last night or rather this morning when I went to bed. Yes, I admit, it was 2:30am before I went to bed (but my forum is coded and complete enough for now - hooray!), and that made the rest of the night that much worse.

3:30 - Kittens screaming from two directions in the room - (1) the box where they are supposed to be and (2) near my bed. I have this sinking feeling and I get up, turn on the light, put on my glasses, pick up the kitten and deposit him back in the box.

4:00 - More screaming...I get up, turn on the light, put on my glasses, pick up the kitten and deposit him back in the box.

4:30 - More screaming.....I fuss at Skittles, get up, turn on the light, pick up the kitten and deposit him back in the box.

5:00 - More screaming....I complain at Skittles, get up, pick up the kitten and deposit him back in the box.

5:30 - More screaming....I yell at Skittles, barely drag myself out of bed, pick up the kitten and deposit him back in the box.

6:00 - Me: SKITTLES!!! QUIT MOVING YOUR KITTENS!!!!!! In one quick motion, I lean over the bed, snag the kitten, take two steps out of bed and deposit the kitten back in the box.

6:15 - nothing.......

6:30 - nothing......

6:45 - nothing......I'm already awake and have been half the night, so I might as well get up.

I'm going to Dodge this morning and who knows where those kittens will be by the time I get home. I just hope she moves them to a place larger than the little crack of space between my nightstand and dresser as she was trying to do all night.

Or even better - I hope she doesn't move them at all. Or if she does, just don't let it be at night.

Those cute little bunches of white fur

I have been enjoying Skittles kittens so much and they are just so cute. They are just soooo tiny! Since they are still little being born Thursday morning, in another week they will be more fun to play with as right now about all they do is eat, sleep and scream if you pick them up.

Skittles has done really well. So far she seems to be taking good care of them and sticks with them for the majority of the day. It seems as though she has learned something about taking care of kittens with her second litter.

She is very protective of her kittens. If you are not me, myself and I (and sorry, she can see through disguises!), you are entering a danger zone the moment you set foot into my room. If you are brave enough to enter by yourself, you will be growled at, hissed at and very possibly swatted with claws extended or perhaps worse. If you go in with me in view, you might get by with only hisses and growls. But I would advise proceeding with caution.

Jena's had her share of Skittles attacks and Dad just doesn't dare go into my room by himself. Even with me in the room, he won't risk putting his hand near the kittens. Me? I can do just about anything to her kittens and she won't bite, hiss, scratch or growl at me. Guess that shows who she likes, huh?

Here's some pics of the little white babies. Slowly they are getting little gray ears, which means they will be Siamese. Their paws and noses are still that cute, baby pink but should turn darker since Willie (the male) looks exactly like Skittles. I was hoping for more than three, but at least I have three alive, Siamese kittens. Now if they are all female, I'll be thrilled!! :)

You can see some more pics I posted on facebook here.....

happy mommy!

such a cutie!

see the little pink tummy, paws and nose?!

three little babies!

Announcing....finally....

SKITTLES HAD HER KITTENS!!!

Three little white babies with little pink noses and paws which show great potential of being Siamese! Hip, hip horray! At least they are all alive (so far!) and should prove to be Siamese!

I'll upload some pics as I am able, but for now I have had over 400 yards of fabric and boxes of thread delivered over the last two days that needs to be cut, sorted, put into kits, boxed up and sent out for my upcoming quilt class.

Yes, that really is her car...

Last Tuesday was not the greatest of days for Jena. She was planning to meet a friend for lunch in Liberal and rolled her car several times only a mile from our house. Thankful she only had minor injuries, but her car is in worse shape. Let's just say unrepairable shape.

It was unbelievable though, as soon as her car stopped rolling, OnStar was on the speaker in the car. They called me at home, the ambulance, deputy sheriff, everything; they took care of every detail. I've always thought of OnStar as an "accessory", not a "necessity", but I can see the benefits of having it in your car.

Here's some not so pretty car pics....

8 weeks and counting....

Skittles is 8 weeks pregnant, actually 59 days to be exact, so I'm expecting her kittens to arrive anytime. Since she was not the greatest of mother's with her last litter of kittens, I check on her several times throughout the day (not difficult since she's usually near my side!). She just waddles around, following me wherever I am going.

As Dad says, "Here comes your shadow." The other day I was going back and forth from the schoolroom to downstairs and every time I passed through the family room (where Dad was sitting), Skittles was just a few yards behind me, back and forth, back and forth. I seriously can't go anywhere in this house without that cat right behind me.

I'm hoping for some kittens (alive and Siamese! :)) before the end of the week! :)

I just can't believe it!

I'm starting a new online class in February and have been totally amazed at the number of people who want to stitch the Latte Quilt! Here's a little timeline of events and my thoughts during the past couple of months.

November 24th - Upload LQ Class info, registration, class fees, kits, etc.

Email mailing list of over 250 interested people signed up to receive more info on the class.

November 25th - 12

November 27th (Thanksgiving Day)

Me: "Yeah, I'm totally thrilled! Within 24 hours, I had a dozen people signed up and registered in the class. I'm hoping for around 30 and I'll be totally delighted. My last two online classes had 11, so 30 would be fantastic!!!!"

December 1st - 17

December 10th - 25

December 12th - Me: "Things will slow down as Christmas gets closer. It's such a busy time. But maybe I'll have a few more than 30 like I planned. This will be so much fun; a class full of Latte Quilt stitchers - exciting!!"

December 15th - 40

Dad: "How many do you have signed up so far?"

Me: "40. I think that is a good number. Isn't that amazing how many people want to do this quilt?!?!"

Dad: "Can you handle that many?"

Me: "Yeah, I'm fine with that. I'm sure there won't be many more. But 40 - I never imagined I'd ever have 40 in a class!!!"

December 26th - 55

Me: "Well, a few over 50 is ok."

Dad: "You need to set a limit or you'll be overwhelmed with everythingl."

Me: "Well, things slow down during the holidays and I have a deadline of January 10th, so there won't be too many more."

Dad: "Are you sure?"

Me: "Yeah.....I can't imagine having too many more."

December 29th - Reality sets in. I mean, REALLY sets in.

Me: "I have over 50 people in class. Is this really possible? Oh, it's ok. I can handle it. There may be a couple late nights, but that's ok."

December 30th - I emailed a friend and visited with her about the classes.

Me: "I have over 50, but the deadline is just around the corner, so I'll probably have just a couple more."

Friend: "Think you'll have 100 in class?"

Me: "Oh no! Maybe 70? There's only a little over a week left. I have the majority already. There can't be too many more wanting to join."

December 31st - 60

Dad: "Serena....you need to set a limit."

Me: "No, Dad, it's alright. I'm ok. Even if I wind up with 75 (which I doubt), I can handle that, I think."

January 1st - Me: "Maybe I should close registration? No, January 10th is the deadline I set and I'd like to stick with that; there won't be too many more in 10 days. Maybe a grand total of 75. I think I'm still ok with that number."

January 3rd - 66

Me: "Only a week til registration closes...I'm still ok for the 75 class limit. There won't be too many people registering in only a week."

January 5th - 72

Me: "Oh my! Oh my! Every few hours that I check email, I have a list of emails downloading saying, New Order, New Order, New Order, etc."

January 6th - 81

Dad: "So, what's the number today?"

Me: "I'm not sure how many exactly cause I haven't uploaded the orders today to the database, but I think maybe I've got about 75. Maybe one or two more this week. No more than 80, I'm sure."

January 7th - 86

Me: "I'm a little behind on email and haven't uploaded everyone yet, so I have a few more...exact number, I'm not sure....maybe around 80?."

January 8th - 95

I announced the local LQ class I am teaching at our quilt guild and commented that I had about 95 registered for the online class.

Me: "Oh, my!!! 95....I can't believe this. Only 1 more day til registration closes. I think 100 is the limit. There can't be but one or two the last day."

January 9th - 105

Me: "How many people can sign up in one day? I can't believe it! The class just keeps filling up."

January 10th - 116

Me: "That's it - the deadline is here! Registration closed."

Dad: "So what are you going to do?"

Me: "Well, you know I may be sitting at my computer all day and all night. I'll just email you from downstairs what's for lunch and you'll have to fix it. ;)"

I think I will be keeping plenty busy over the months ahead!!! But I've never been so excited in all my life!!!! :) And if you ever wonder what I'm doing, wonder no longer - I'm probably sitting in front of a computer screen! ;)

God is in Total Control

We just started singing this song (You Are God Alone) in church several months ago and I love the words that are written. God is in control, in all things and all times - the good and bad. How comforting that is to know that He knows me, loves me and has my best in mind, even when it seems as though things in life seem to be so difficult. I'm so glad He holds my life in the palm of His hands!

Family Game Night Fun

Usually every New Year's Eve we stay up for a while and play pitch. We gather some snacks such as nacho chips, veggies & dip, popcorn (gotta have that!) and peanuts with punch and/or Diet Mt. Dew (of course!) and settle in for an evening of laughter.

This New Year's Eve, Krissa was in Florida, well actually Philadelphia, well in reality New York City Times Square (silly girl, I know - long story!) and so we played pitch when we went to AL for Thanksgiving. Krissa's been asking me to edit the movies we took and here's a recap of our evening. There are times that we're laughing so hard you can't understand what we're saying. And for most of you, it probably won't make much sense, but to us, there are good memories!

Enjoy! It's in three parts since it's too long to upload as one.