Today's blog is dedicated to Keaton

I'm sure I have posted pictures of Keaton and Brody, Ashley and Brian's boys.  But today it is all about 3-year-old Keaton ("Keats").  You see, Keaton was very recently diagnosed with a Stage IV Wilm's tumor, a cancerous tumor that grew on his kidney, the size of a grapefruit.  The first step was to remove his kidney and the tumor, which they did immediately.  They also removed two lesions on his lungs, but could not get to the third one.

So today Keaton starts weekly chemo to be followed by a course of radiation.  In preparation of that, Keaton got his hair buzzed.

 We arrived at Great Clips so that Rosie could cut his hair.

He loves Rosie.

 Keaton wasn't crazy about the buzz, but sat through it.

 Finally, he's all done and wearing his Superman shirt with cape.

All smiles.

Mom and Dad both joined Keaton and had their hair cut short.

 Kimmy and Keaton.

I share this with you because I am requesting prayers and 

good thoughts be sent Keaton's way.  He has a very good prognosis, 

but he also has a long road ahead of him and he's 

facing every day of it with bravery. 

He has the sweetest disposition

and the most beautiful smile.  

I was able to sew just a bit on my Janome

Using my directions and going step by step, 

I was able to thread the machine and wind some bobbins.

 I thought why not do a bunch at one time - so that's just what I did.

 Success!!

It works beautifully and sounds heavenly.

Why do...

Birds sit on a wire?

All lined up in a row?

This is only part of the phone lines.  I couldn't get them all in the picture.

It was almost creepy.  Almost.

Does it remind anyone else of "The Birds?"

Except that these are pigeons.  Big fat pigeons. 

I picked up my Janome...

and I am overwhelmed.  I could hardly get it out of the box.  But I did manage to get it done.

 Finally!!

 Wow! 

This is for another night.

S'mores!

We had Keaton with us one night this week and we promised him we would sit outside and make s'mores.  I am not sure he knows what they are, but he was agreeable.

 He knows it is something special...

 Not quite sure how to handle it...

 Yep.  It is definitely awkward to hold...

 His thoughts?  

He liked the chocolate better than the marshmallow.

Regardless, it was a beautiful night to be outside.

Just checking it out...

I have been thinking of buying a new sewing machine.  I was thinking maybe I would pursue that thought in January at the annual Quilt show.  AND, I have a good one - a Bernina - that is older than my first born.  I bought it in 1985 and I have to say it was one of the best purchases I have ever made.  There's nothing wrong with it and I will continue to use it, but sometimes it would be nice to have a new fangled machine.  So I decided to sit down and try one out at the Pinner's Conference.

 Mulqueen's from the valley was at the conference

and of course, offering a show special.  

 This is a Janome - well known to quilters.  

 I loved the feeling of it.

Pinner's Conference by Pinterest

I had never heard of this conference before.  But, of course, I wanted to go.  Anything crafty and I try to get there.  Kim had to work, but Kate and I still managed to get there in the afternoon.  Here are some of the photos of the day...

 The event is put on by Tandy Leathers, which has been around for years.  

I remember making leather items with Tandy kits when I was in high school.

 You could sign up for classes - we might do that next year.

 Traveling quilt store?

Little camper?  Couldn't resist.  Had to go in.

 Some cute items we liked.

 On our way out... 

... with our purchases.

Great day!

Simple is sometimes the best

My friend's daughter, Kylee, who calls me Aunt Jean, loves paper crafting.  So, of course, she HAS to be related to me.  She sent me this photo the other night...

She said she made this card for her sister's friend.  I really like the simplicity of this card.  Very cute. Very clean.  Good job, Miss Kylee!

This was what I came back to after lunch...

One day this last week I went to lunch.  When I came back, this is what my computer screen looked like:

 Take a closer look -

It is turned sideways!

What the heck?

I have never seen anything like this before.

As it turned out, it was a very simple fix.

But until my IT Department guided me through it,

I just shook my head and laughed.

There's always something to do on my house...

I never lack for projects I want to complete on my house.  The list is endless.  The latest project was placing pavers across the front of my yard and up along the sidewalk.

 I used to get lots of weeds along the edges of my driveway

and sidewalk.

They turned out beautifully and it really helps

"finish" the yard.

I'm happy.