Happy New Year!!

I can't believe how long it has been since I have wrote a blog.

I have finally made some decisions and sticking to them.  A few days before New Years Eve I decided to deactivate my Facebook account.  Not forever but for as long as I need to focus on my life instead of keeping up with everyone else. This year is about me and getting stuff done that I have put off way too long. I found that I was spending too much time on fb and needed a break.
This has been a struggle but so far it has been paying off.
I decided what I wanted to do. Drive school bus again! I absolutely love driving and I am good at it. I love the hours with the break in the middle of the day to get things done.  I have also taken on being the secretary for the Drayton Agricultural Society.  I have always wanted a job to do from home and was already involved with this organization putting on the yearly fair.  Seems to be a good fit for me.  It doesn't pay much as it is still a volunteer position. Most of last year I was doing a lot of volunteering with FACS. I truly loved the work but still needed a real income.

Driving school bus also gives me days off to be home with my kids. They are getting older and the last few years I have felt the need to be here for them.  My son is 16 and daughter is 12.  I know they enjoy having me around and it keeps our bond tight.  Now that I will have some money coming in will help with our AMAZING trip we are going on in July.  My parents are taking us on a week Disney cruise to Alaska.  It will be the first trip we have all gone on together as a family.  My brother is coming too.  With having my parents and brother out in BC makes it hard to have time together.
We will be out there for 2 weeks and I am over the moon excited for the trip and the visit.

My dad had a stroke a year ago this month and has had me very worried about time...time with them is so precious.  We are very close and enjoy seeing each other via Skype.  For the most part it helps but on all the special occasions it is not the same.  Family means a lot to me and it really brings me down not being able to just pop over for a visit.  It really hurts me that my children didn't get to grow up having them around so this trip is something that we all have as a great memory and a fabulous experience together.

So this year is all about being happy...finding happiness in all parts of my life.  Living a more positive life. This is my goal and so far this year it is working.

Now you are updated on my life... :)

Cheers

New Creations

This is my first custom order rag quilt, the colors are amazing. I had a great time shopping at Lens Mill Store in Guelph for fabric.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                           

 

 

 

 

I love this pattern!

The Beginning

Progress with cutting squares

Lots of cutting

Sewing begins

X's have been sewn

Time to get cutting

Cutting complete time for the wash and dryer

Here is the finished project with my new pup on it

What to do...

I have been unemployed for sometime now and the stress of not being able to find a job has made me explore ways to distract myself.
I am SO not creative. Really I am not. I can find neat ideas and with instructions can make whatever the project is. Sometimes even with success!

One day I got it in my silly little brain that I should make a Rag Quilt. I heard it was pretty easy. So where do I start? Well I didn't own a sewing machine and I didn't know how to sew. Plus I didn't have any of the other equipment for making a quilt.
I put a call out on Facebook to my local friends for help. I got some replies. One friend offered to teach me and let me use some of her equipment. Another offered her sewing machine.  It didn't take long and we were heading to Lens Mill Store to buy fabric.

This was the beginning of an adventure that led to a new hobby I am truly enjoying. My dear husband had little faith that this project would ever get done as I am known for my great ideas and never completing them. This project took me about 2 months to complete. Remember I needed step by step instructions and we also got a puppy during this time. I was amazed at my accomplishment and so was hubby. 

Now I have completed 1 large rag quilt and 3 smaller baby rag quilts. I went out and bought all my equipment I needed and my wonderful mother purchased a brand new sewing machine for me. 

As soon as I figure out how to post pictures on my blog, they will be up.

My adventures continue with my new sewing machine...what will I make next?

Cheers!!!

The Beginning

Oh dear! 
I almost forgot I started a blog. 
Just remembered I should start a post.
So where does one start? 

I decided to start at the beginning...

My name is Natalie Green. Born in Surrey, BC. My two wonderful parents, George and Claire Myles still live in BC. I have an older brother, Claude Myles. He lives in BC as well.
I married Shayne Green way back on November 25, 1995. Had our son, Foxx on April 3rd, 1997. And in October, 1997 we moved to Kitchener, Ontario.
We moved in with my in-laws for 4 months then got our own place.
In 2001, we bought our first townhouse. And welcomed of our second child, Shayna in October of that year.

There ya go...some family history. Now you know that main characters in my life. I should mention there are 4 more that play a part in our lives as well. Jasmine (11 yr old) Australian Sheppard, Boots (5 yr old) cat, Buddy (2yr old) Shiz tzu/Yorkie Cross and Stryker (8 months)Red Merle long haired Chihuahua.

I will sign off for now and hope to get back to share more about my life.

Cheers!