2024, Another Year....

 Hey all! Well, here we are and its my first post for the year. Sad to say that, but with all that's happened over the past 3 years, I'm a bit surprised I'm making a post now! Recap of the past few years...

In 2022, we lost a very dear and close family member. It was very painful. Purchased a used longarm in between all the time at the hospital and before the funeral. Lots of fun trying to haul in in my Dad's pickup bed! (Okay, bit of sarcasm but was thrilled!). Had the funeral and stayed out of state with family to get things addressed and planning. But also, no garden.

2023, back out of state due to family member suffered a fall with serious injuries. I stayed for beck and call while she healed. Sad to say that 2023 was a bit of a blur, passed so quickly! But sadly, again, no garden.

2024! So the year kind of blindsided us. Waited for it to warm up to get work done in the attack, but suffered an injury for working up there too long. Couldn't get a lot done because of that. But then we pretty much skipped Spring and jumped into abnormally hot weather! So, no more attic, no garden, and pretty much, not a lot else. We did do a longer traveling vacation, hitting several states until BAM! Needed a new roof for the camper!! We did get that taken care of and the repair process was less painful than anticipated. 

Want to share my favorite highlights of our vacation. So we did hit several states for this. Headed West and then came back East and Southeast for it. Saw some very lovely things. 

• Cemetery 100 in NOLA IS haunted, but not by a Voodoo Queen. Turns out, they have NINE graves for her to prevent vandalism. So, if you go visit there, walk in, turn left towards the end and a few feet forward, there is a stack of what looks like nine vaults. One of the strongest sense of sadness I have ever felt emitting from it. The rest was uneventful, but cool. 
• The Fish House in Pensacola, Fla, do try their YaYa Grits. You won't regret it! Sandshaker for their Bushwacker drinks. 
• Ol Heidelberg Café in Huntington GA, very tasty. Definitely go to the Space & Rocket Museum to meet the Scientists while there.
• And for me, Hubby scored us spots for Waverly Hills Sanitorium. It truly IS haunted! I personally experienced a Shadow Figure, a strong pull to where the nurse hung herself and a full-body apparition on the top floor! On this topic, I would like to add a couple of things. First, if you are NOT sensitive to the paranormal, you more than likely are not open to experiencing it. Secondly, have an open mind. If you volunteer to walk away from the group to see if a Shadow Figure will come up to you, you need to be open to it and verbal. Give it permission to approach you, and that you welcome it. Don't go down and just stand there and get upset that nothing happened.

During our trips down and back from Tennessee, where our camper was repaired, we did make a weekend of each trip. Going down, we spent the night, then went to Helen, GA. Nice little town. Bit of advice, read the Google reviews on the restaurants. It'll help. We walked around and visited several of the shops and had a nice visit. Going back down for the camper, we stayed local and visited some of the places we hadn't been to in a while. My favorite Haunted House is still standing in Gatlinburg! I HIGHLY recommend! Though I was a bit disappointed some of the rooms were changed and details no longer there, its still a great time and the Actors are amazing!

So, now, today. This past Summer/overly hot Fall, I was able to get my longarm set up. Still having a few things to work out, but getting there. I should be receiving an old school Shirley System, an older quilting robotic that is a precursor to the Butler. I understand I can have this upgraded. Once it gets here, I'll research how to install it. There are parts from another system no one can identify, but once I do, will probably sell it. 

As far as crafting, I was able to finish at least one thing this year. I had started a shawl a few years ago but lost it. Got more yarn and made a new one. Entered it in the Pumpkin Show and got 3rd place.

Sorry for the mess in the photo, been cleaning out the room to remodel.

Well, think that's about it for now. I'll try to be back more regularly and share some of the camper upgrades as well. Take care and TTFN!