The Romance Continues Part 3 1/2

The scene opens as Elaine is finishing with polishing brass on the fireplace. The phone rings.
Me, "Hello."
T, "Hi Baaaabe."
Me, "whatcha doin'?"
T, "Just got through with a meeting at work...blah blah blah blah. (I don't know what I can share here. lol)
I continue talking with him and go into coughing fits.
T, "Your cold sounds really bad."
Me, "Is yours better?"
T, "Yep, I'm just fine. BUT YOU sound like a Russian weight lifter."
Me, "Really? Hmmm"
T, "You are putting on that voice. I've never heard you go that low before."
Me, "It is real. That is my voice with this cold."
T, "You are pretending."
Me...getting frustrated...a little...want to yell, but throat hurts. "I thought guys liked women with low voices."
T, "Not Russian weight lifter low...besides you are pretending."
It was a good thing he went out of range...I'm taking more Dayquil...This has be really...real.

Real Life Christmas 2019 Part 3

The hubs and I have been on a quest for a Hallmark Movie type Christmas for a few years now. Year before last, he was convinced that doing some of the things I asked him to do in previous years  were the key. This is how that went. (Believe me, he is still...not upset...how would you say it?...sorta ...confused.)
Christmas 2017 Terry walked into the living room where I was probably on my laptop conversing on Facebook.
"Baaaabe, we are going to go see the Nutcracker this year."
Me, "We are?"
"Find it online and get us some good tickets halfway up the middle."
"Okay."
Terry, "It has to be good, right? Your sister and brother in law took their grandkids there every year."
Me, "You know it is a ballet, right?"
Terry, "So they dance a little bit."
We go to church and I tell the preacher's wife what is up. She says they have been there before. She reminded me that people really dress up when they go to see the Nutcracker.
We get home.
Me, "Terry, we have to dress up for the Nutcracker."
Terry, "Who says?"
Me, "Brenda. She says people really dress up."
Terry, "I'll wear a suit, but I WILL NOT wear a tie."
I know I am on shaky ground here and I've already purchased the tickets. "Okay, no tie."
Terry, "Handel's Messiah is at the Methodist Church tonight. You always asked to go. We should go.?
Me. "Okay." I'm thinking...Is this Terry? What has come over him. Did the doctor tell him I'm dying r something? Oh dear...I'm dying??? I have to be dying for him to want to do all the things I asked him to do all these years.
Terry, "Let's decorate the Christmas trees today."
Me, "You're helping?"
Terry. "Yep."
I'm definitely dying.

We go to the concert. The music is beautiful. Going with Terry...or me...to a long concert is like taking a three year old to a long concert. It was a little long for us. Quite a few people left at intermission, but we were on a 'culture quest', it would seem, so we stayed with it. The soloists were great, the orchestra was moving. I'm glad we went, but I don't think I can get Terry to go again.

The Nutcracker: We were all dressed up. We got our official picture taken in the lobby in two places. Terry bought a Nutcracker for me to commemorate the event. We sat in the wrong seats and had to move. Our seats were in a better place in the auditorium. Yay.

The music started and the dancing started. We didn't realize there was NO TALKING. We then realized that we should have read the story of the Nutcracker so we'd know what on earth was going on.
Terry leaned over to my ear and whispered, "What's up with the rats?"
"I don't know."
I never had an answer to any of his questions.
The dancers were very good. The little kids in the production did great. I LOVED the costumes.
However we were 'silk purses made from a sow's ear.' I think our kind of entertainment is like a Sugarland, or Oak Ridge Boys concert. We are defiantly not high brow people. We are plain country folk.
Terry shudders when he talks about those 2 events we did. However, I am so glad we did them! I love choir music. I was in school choir for 6 years and loved it all. I always was curious about the  Nutcracker. I'm glad I finally saw it. Terry's wanting to do these things especially for me melted my heart.

The Hallmark Version

Terry: Darling, did you have my tux cleaned for the Christmas events this year? We do have the Nutcracker as well as Handel's Messiah this week.

Me: "But of course."

Terry, "I do love to grab a little culture whenever it presents itself, don't you, dear?"

Me, "It does my heart good to see the joy on your face upon attending these events."

T, "You are too kind."

Me, "I know."

We laugh and laugh.

Christmas Reality vs Hallmark Movie Version 2019 Part 2

This picture is a painting Eli, our youngest grandson, did in Kindergarten. Rudy looks like I feel when the hubs and I have some of our conversations.
We talk about the most random things. I will give you an example or two for this reality check.

I placed a basket of pinecones in an area under our table. (I know that sounds strange, but it is a sort of shelf in the very middle of the pedestal table.) Later in the evening I found it under the Christmas tree that is in the dining room.
Me, "You moved the pinecones?"
Terry, "I couldn't take it!"
Me, "Really? Why?"
Terry, "I put my feet on that shelf. In fact, I get a little messed up when I go to put my feet there and someone else at the table has beat me to it."
Me, "Interesting."
I moved the pinecones to the hearth. I don't want to mess with the hubs when he has such strong feelings.

This morning we were talking about one of his Daniel and Terry episodes. This is how that went. We were talking about dugout houses and houses that are mostly basements that only about a foot of the walls show and the roof on top. (I know...exciting stuff.) Well, I had some distant cousins in Kansas I think, who had a house like that. It was pretty nice.

We talked about ways they'd keep water out in the event of rain or snow...stuff like that. He then told me his "Terry and Daniel story."

Terry and Daniel were exploring one day and came upon a cellar. Of course, being the boys that they are, they can't let a cellar go unexplored...Sooooo Terry starts down the steps. He hears a hiss.

He stops, sure that there must be a bunch of rattlesnakes down there. HE HAS TO SEE!!!! So...
He goes to the pickup truck and gets a flashlight. They start down the stairs again and hear the hiss.

He shines the light and two huge eyes reflect in the light!

It is a ...BIG WHITE OWL!!! and it is going crazy...getting mad. Terry and Daniel retreat because they want nothing to do with that owl. Terry thinks the owl may have had some hatchlings in there. They didn't want a mad mama owl on their hands.

Daniel just laughs at Terry when they reflect on that story.

The Hallmark version...not sure they would write a movie about either of these topics. We just don't have the romance in these stories today...maybe tomorrow.
 

2019's  Version of Terry and Elaine in Real vs the Hallmark Movie Version

Part 1

Dec 3, 2019- Elaine finally sits down to look at Facebook. Terry  enters at an unusually early time. He is jubilant.

"Hey Baaabe."

"Hey, you got home early."

"We can get started on doing more decorations outside."

"Okay, but isn't it kinda cold out there?"

He doesn't seem to hear her.

"I'll get the ladder and we can make a candy cane out of the bird sanctuary pole."

"Okay. I think I'm going to wait in here a little bit while you set up."

"Okay Lainey girl."

She looks for responses on messenger for updated addresses for the Christmas letter she has worked on for about 4 hours. She is caught up...just lacks 2 more addresses..."Good"

Because she is so fortunate with the addresses acquired, she feels guilty about staying inside.

She finds Terry on the top of the ladder that is leaned against a very tall spindle. "Everything going all right?"

"Yep. Can you get me those two extension chords laying in the bushes next to the front deck?"

"There are no bushes next to the front deck."

"Well...whatever those things are next to the front deck."

"I don't know what you are talking about." she says.

"Those things that grow like crazy!"

"Flowers?" she asks

"There dead."

"Oh...THOSE flowers. I'll get them."

I know he is thinking I am pretty dense at this point. I return post haste and hand them to him. 

"Can you get the red tape lights next to the pole light?"

"Ok." She gets the lights and starts for the house.

"Can you also get me the white rope light next to the pole light?"

She wonders why he didn't tell her when she got the red ones. (The pole light is almost a block away from where they are working...maybe half a block...maybe...oh well... It is a long ways.)

By the time she gets back from the far reaches of the universe with the white lights, he has the red lights already installed. 

"That's wonderful!" she says.

"Now can you find the end of the extension chord and hook things up for me?"

"There's only one plug thingy on the end." she says.

"Go find the ones you had earlier."

"Me? You're the 'light guy'!"

"You put things away."

"Right." She goes to look in the laundry room. 

He joins her and finds what he wants.

She tells him she's on her last legs and he agrees that she is okay to stay inside. 

He comes in after assessing the light situation. "We have plenty of time to get more done tomorrow."

"Oh...great..." she says.

(I'm still in my coat getting warm while I write this. I am amazed that Terry is so excited about Christmas decorations this decade. Earlier decades...not so much. It is kinda fun.)

Face it, The Hallmark version is a lie. I saw one show where the guy slipped out after dinner while the kid and lady were doing dishes or making cookies. He managed to put up lights around the entire house, windows, bushes, trees along with all other kinds of decorations. He did it in one hour!!! I need that kind of elf. lol 

House Shoes

House shoes! I have some great memories of them in my childhood. Mama wore them all the time. I can still hear the sound of them on the linoleum floor as she walked a bit of grit missed by the incessant broom.

About this time, the Fall, every year I remember the excitement as the big parcel carrying truck stopped outside our little house. (Our house was little...about 700 square feet) ANYWAY... the driver knocked on the door and had a big box from J C Penneys addressed to us.  To me it was like an early Christmas..

Sometimes the box had a new dress for me to wear to school, or new housecoats for both of us, but it always had two pair of house shoes! Mama always ordered pink house shoes for us. I didn't realize they came in any other color. No matter, pink was our favorite color.

Mama's looked a little like those in the picture only the back came up a bit more. The fur around the top was fuzzier. Mine looked like pink fur  baby booties. I loved them. They had a shiny pink satin ribbon on the top. Boy, those things kept us nice and toasty.  (We had a little forced air furnace that kept the house warm...if we kept all the bedroom doors closed. That was probably why we needed to wear the house shoes.)

They were a wonderful invention for us because Mama didn't like for us to wear our shoes in the house. The reasons were probably so they wouldn't wear out as fast and so we wouldn't track in dirt on the carpet.

Yes, I still wear house shoes. Yesterday I was sweeping the kitchen floor and heard that grit hit the vinyl of them and it brought back this memory. We had many happy little memories like this in that little house in our little town.

Neck Deep

I'm in the middle of week 2 of the National Novel Writing Challenge. The first week went by at a pretty good clip. This second week has been...well...let me say more of an uphill climb.

Yesterday I did reach the set daily goal, but I did basically two days in one. I slacked off on Monday because the Hubs was home and we worked on things like determining which Christmas lights to put on the big treehouse. (Very important stuff, right?)

To get caught up on the challenge required writing close to 3500 words. This isn't difficult in the beginning pages of a rough draft, but after you are in the weeds??? Let's say, it was sort of like dental work. (and you KNOW I am well acquainted with dental work this year.)

"Slogging through" isn't a pretty phrase, but it is as good as any, I suppose. Let's say I'm really glad this is a rough draft! Yesterday I reached 20,025 words. Today, the goal is 21,671. That is completely doable...that is...if I can get my brain in gear. Keep your fingers crossed!

NaNoWriMo 2019 here I come! This morning I am joining the National Novel Writing Month challenge of writing 50,000 words in the month of November. After a lot of thought and some planning and reading, I've decided on my characters, the setting, and a sketchy story line.

The main character is Levi Reeves. He was introduced in "The Restless Kansas Wind". He and his brother, Peter, met Lily and her unnamed baby when they stopped at her homestead for medical help for Peter. Towards the end of that book, he is a newspaper man in Tascosa, Texas. (Now, the location of Cal Farley's Boy's Ranch)

I think you will love this character and how the story unfolds. However, you are part of this process. Did you know that? Many of you readers pray for me and the writing I do. I need this more than ever. This morning I dashed off 60 words so that I could set of my page on the NaNo website and have something on my progress graph. I'm hoping to have around 1000 words by the end of the day more or less.

Jump in the 'car' with me and we will see where this goes. I don't have a real title for this book yet. Be thinking of one that you think you'd like. Watch for an announcement for a prize for a title from the entries.

NaNoWriMo 2019

TOMORROW I'm going to jump in! Yep, November is known to writers as NaNoWriMo. That is short for National Novel Writing Month. It is a killer month of diving into a new book head first and hacking out 50,000 words. That seems impossible, but it is doable. I have actually completed the task a few times AND...well... fell short a few times as well.

Life happens and we don't know what a month will bring, but every time I have taken this challenge, it has propelled me on my author journey. Even though 50,000 words is a lot, most books are longer. Some by a few thousand words, others by many thousands of words. The point of the month is learning. Through this challenge, writers learn that daily writing gets the job done. Also, we learn that planning is key. Outlines, character sketches, and possible titles have been either diligently processed in Oct and before...or vaguely sketched into the fertile or not-so-fertile brain matter of the writer.

There is something about the digital achievement badges that helps keep me going. Last year I had two unfinished novels. I decided to pick up where I left off on each of them. That was a good thing for me because in forcing myself to get this done, I ended up with 2 1/2 rough drafts completed.

Of course, the rough draft is just that. The real work...drudgery comes in December and beyond with whipping the novel into shape. Many rewrites, edits, and re-edits later, the book is ready to send to the real editor/publisher.

Because of this challenge, I have 2 brand new titles published in 2019. It is worth the hassle and it is quite fun. I urge you to take the NaNoWriMo Challenge this year.

Hey Everyone!

It has been a very long time since I wrote on this blog. I've made a decision to make this one of the primary methods to reach you. Probably the most information comes from my facebook page. Elaine Littau or profile page, Elaine Littau author.

This October my 18th book was published. You can find every title on amazon.com. Enter Elaine Littau in the search box to see all of them.

I began writing Historical Christian Fiction, then added Contemporary Christian Fiction as well as a devotional book and a book about funny happening in my life. If you have read one of those books, please leave a review for it on amazon. I will not judge you if you leave less than a 5 star rating. Promise!!!

It is good to be back.

Elaine Littau's live broadcast

Luke's Legacy is FREE Today

http://ebookdaily.com/free-kindle-ebooks/2017-03-19/B00CQ8HSAO

Free E-book of Timothy's Home by Elaine Littau Today

Go to amazon.com and search under Elaine Littau. You will find all of the books I've authored. Today, Feb 25/2017, the ebook version of Timothy's Home is free.

Part of the background story on this Christian Western Romance is about the 20 Mule Team Borax going through Death Valley. You are bound to learn some American history as you read this book.

Whispers: Devotional Thoughts by Elaine Littau

Restored, Book 3, The Nashville Series

Resolved, Book 3 of The Nashville Series

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We live in the Heartland. It's not unusual at all to see someone walking down the street (or into our home) with spurs jingling on their dirty boots and a gun on their hip. A handkerchief isn't just western decor, it's necessary for keeping the dirt out of your nose during dust storms. Our family loves the song, "Jesus was a Country Boy" by Clay Walker. The idea of walking down a dusty road with Y'shua of Nazareth is stirring. What do you 'reckon visit with Him about?




While the children are playing Cowboys, Mom needs a little entertainment too right? Let me suggest this great opportunity for a nice bundle of goodies. There are books in this bundle that the whole family is going to LOVE!




The harsh consequences of other people's sin leaves Nan bitter and broken, but God's amazing Love prevails in her life and overflows into the lives of those around her. Elaine Littau is the author of eleven published books and many magazine and newspaper articles. She is a mentor/coach for other authors and enjoys public speaking for groups. Many enjoy listening to her humorous take on life. Even the simplest activity takes on a life of its own when Elaine is involved in the telling of it.




 




“Trust me,” she heard a voice say to her. When her deaf daughter, 3-year-old Alexis, goes missing, Stella Brigg faces an incredible struggle. Alone, while her husband serves in the armed forces overseas, Stella must depend on Someone greater than anyone she’s ever known. Someone who loves her even more than Don ever did. Only that kind of love can carry her through in her search for Alexis. R.A. Giggie




 




Joshua and Ruth Brookings are traveling by stagecoach to finally join their parents in Montana. Attacked by murderous outlaws, the teens barely escape with their lives and must survive in the barren Wyoming and Montana territories and escape the man who's hunting them.Seven years ago, Jed Stuart ran away from home and joined Tom's gang. Jed is tired of the lawlessness and wants out. The only problem? He is the boss's right-hand man and will never be able to leave. And what's one more stagecoach robbery, anyway?Can Joshua lean on God's strength to keep himself and his sister alive until they find a town? Will Jed be able to face his anger or will it consume him completely? All three are running--the hunter and hunted. What will happen when they meet? Faith Blum




 




Alyce Lomlossa has never dreamed of visiting King Timson. To a member of a minority group that opposes his rule, his brooding, glum palace is associated only with imprisonment and death. Though it's been a long time since any Sherban was arrested, Alyce feels little in common with her ruler and is quite content to stay unnoticed.




Until a mandatory summons to the King's court dance leaves her no choice.




A 20,000 word novella that enlarges the story of Cinderella. Sarah Scheele




 




One Viking woman. One God. One legendary journey to North America.




In the tenth century, when pagan holy women rule the Viking lands, Gudrid turns her back on her training as a seeress to embrace Christianity. Clinging to her faith, she joins her husband, Finn, on a journey to North America.




But even as Gudrid faces down murderous crewmen, raging sickness, and hostile natives, she realizes her greatest enemy is herself--and the secrets she hides might just tear her marriage apart.




Almost five centuries before Columbus, Viking women sailed to North America with their husbands. God's Daughter, Book One in the Vikings of the New World Saga, offers an expansive yet intimate look into the world of Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir--daughter-in-law of Eirik the Red, and the first documented European woman to have a child in North America. Heather Day Gilbert




 




After the brutal massacre in his village, a broken, grieving boy chooses to live with a golden dragon in the wild rather than go to the mountains to be with his own people. If only he had known then what that simple choice meant… Thirteen years later, Keegan, no longer a boy, learns that his younger sister survived the massacre and so sets off to be reunited with her. When Keegan accidentally interrupts a plot against a princess, what should have been a fairly simple trip turns into a complicated struggle for survival. A mysterious elder appears, full of wit and riddle. Mythical monsters shed their fictional skin and hungrily pursue Keegan and his dragon. Haunting nightmares begin to tear at his mind. As he continues on his quest to be reunited with his sister, Keegan is only just beginning to understand what it means to be The Dragons Son. Kathryn Fogleman




 




Fern Valley is home to a group of wonderful animals who have fun and face some of the same problems children everywhere do. Roberta and Mildred Cornstalk are creative chickens dealing with the loss of their beloved granny, and they’re looking for something to do to cheer them up. Want to know what adventures they find? Want to know what happens to Roberta and Mildred’s brother, Edward, when he goes fishing, what birthday surprise is in store for Betsy Woolrich, or what lesson Kimmy Curlytail learns when she keeps something that isn’t hers? Then follow this endearing cast of characters as they enjoy their time together and learn important lessons.

A perfect addition for any child’s personal library and a joy for families to share, Fern Valley is a collection to be treasured for many years to come. Aileen Stewart




 




It’s almost the end of summer, and seventeen-year-old Julien is seated around the campfire with his sister and six cousins, waiting for Uncle Frank to begin his story.




He’s the best storyteller in Louisiana, and tonight he’s got something really good—the story of the Alligator King. But first, he has to go back even further and tell another story—that of Eagle Hawk, who became a man and set off to follow his vision, where soon he meets a beautiful Irish girl and falls in love.




“But what does this have to do with the Alligator King?” they all want to know. And Uncle Frank just puffs on his pipe and grins.




The Alligator King is the first novel in the Legends of the Swamps series by Kimberly Thompson. The old (although no one knows exactly) Uncle Frank weaves fact with flair to create a tale worthy of a late-night campfire. Get caught up in the mystery as the boys and girls lean forward in their seats, ready to hear what happens next, begging to interrupt Uncle Frank and ask the question: did this really happen? You can decide for yourself, because this is where Uncle Frank’s epic tale begins… Kimberly Thompson




 




Chloe May's father found his wife's tactics incredulous as she dealt with their impoverished life and her own restlessness. Then came the Depression and the droughts of the Dust Bowl. It took more than their losses, near starvation, and apparent defeat to put a tear in her father's eye. In fact, even the women in the Whitehurst family were seldom reduced to tears-conniving and rash behavior, perhaps, but not to tears! The family knew laughter and fun, balancing heartaches and poverty. Chloe May: Daughter of the Dust Bowl is based on the true story of the author's mother, Chloe May, and her family's frequent moves in, around, and out of the Oklahoma Panhandle of the '20s and '30s. Laced with historical facts of the time, Chloe May: Daughter of the Dust Bowl is a must read for younger readers wishing for a glimpse into one of America's most difficult eras, and older readers who will identify with one family's modes of survival. Grace Lundmark




 




The Life of Bud is the story of life and how important we all are and how hard it is to let go in the end. The story follows Bud, who starts out in life as a tiny bud—he feels insignificant. But Bud grows into a beautiful, vibrant leaf on the Mighty Oak Tree and becomes a very important part of the tree. Those who have looked for a children's book that explains gently about the topic of life and death, look no further. The Life of Bud explains to children and reminds adults that death is an important part of life. A Simpler Time - Oversaturated with the latest video games and iPhone apps, does anyone slow down to remember A Simpler Time? Join A.J. as she discovers a summer of fun with her mom, finding animals in the clouds, and a trek to find the perfect four-leaf clover! What's in the Corner? Sing along to this musical mystery “tail” as Muffin the rescue dog discovers what's in the corner of her suburban backyard, while protecting her owner! What’s in the Corner? A Muffin "Tail" is Muffin's second adventure and is sure to spark the imagination of children of all ages. Went Out To Get a Donut - Came Home With a Muffin - At first, Muffin was scared and hid under her mommy's chair. Muffin found out that training class was fun and interesting, and her mommy gave her treats and affection for doing her lessons correctly—what we call 'positive reinforcement'. Muffin became our 'star student!' Muffin graduated from her first level of classes-Beginner Education and is starting her second level of training soon. Laura W. Eckroat




Christian writer Lynn Baber retired as a National and World Champion horse breeder/ trainer after careers as a business and equine pro. From horses to "contending for the faith" every message is based on God's Word. Lynn shares simple truth even when it's not the popular path.




Lynn teaches worthy leadership, methods for achieving success, and the process of building faith under the brand Christian Horse Training for Amazing Grays Ministry, a 501.c.3 non-profit.




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This is a picture taken in 1962. Me, Daddy, Grandma (his mom),  and Mama. I thought this would be a good post for Father's Day and belated Mother's Day. This was taken in California and was the last time I saw my grandma.

 

Because I was so young when both sets of grandparents passed away, I take the job of grandparent very seriously. I promoted good relationships with my boys and their grandparents because there is no one who can really fill that gap.

 

My grands, all 5 of them, mean the world to me. I think of each one of them all the time and pray for them to have a wonderful life. I hope I have played my part in helping them know that they are loved and valued.

Sewing Lesson for Maci

 

Yesterday 7 year old Maci walked past the sewing room/office/craft room on the way to our bedroom. She asked if it would be possible for me to teach her how to sew with the sewing machine. I told her we would try to get to it.

Today, I finally thought of something that could be finished rather quickly and also give her a lot of sewing machine time. I had some strips already prepared for a string quilt and realized that allowing her to piece those strips together and then quilt them would give her a lot of practice.

My machine has a turtle speed and a rabbit speed. (there are pictures) If I set it to turtle, she can only go turtle. With rabbit she may go as fast as she wants. By the time she finished, she set it to a little more than halfway to rabbit. Her seams became more and more uniform. We stuffed it with the filling from an old pillow. She is really proud of her project and I am impressed at her willingness to follow directions. She also learned ironing and pressing skills. Now, on to the next project!

My Favorite Childhood Toy

This is me in 1960 or 1961 with my favorite toy ever! The picture was taken on our back porch on the day it was given to me. The dark color of the tricycle was emerald green and the other parts were white. My little blouse was deep red and the pants were tan.

Our house was only about three years old there. It was a new housing development in our little town. I didn't know until I was in Junior High School that it was located on "the wrong side of the tracks". Even when that piece of information was deposited Inside my mind, I didn't care. I loved my little house. There weren't many kiddos my age on my block, but I played my heart out on that little trike. I sort of resented the day I out grew it and had to go to a bicycle.

Our sidewalks were cut out for driveways so it made learning to ride on the sidewalk dangerous. My mom's solution to that was to learn how to ride the bike in the thick grass of the very large back yard. She and Dad bought me a bike that would be big enough to see me through High School and adulthood. Now, I wasn't but a few years older than I was in this picture and I have always had very short-legged. (Not a good thing when learning how to ride a really big bike.)

I was determined to learn to ride and I finally did it. My next favorite bike was the bicycle built for two that I bought at a garage sale. We still have it. I will take a picture of it soon. Terry put new seats on it and re-painted it. This picture makes me smile!

Grandma Made a Promise

Around February or March I had a conversation with our oldest granddaughter, Sierra. She had been drawing fashions in this little book that she received for Christmas. She is eight years old and loves to design clothes. In our telephone conversation, I said, "Why don't you draw up something and I will make it into a doll dress?"
She said, "I'll get it right to you."
Sierra, Maci, and I are pen pals. We write actual letters on stationery, attach stamps, and send them in the mail to one another. I save every little scrap they write to me and they love writing to one another.

One day, weeks ago, I had a letter from Sierra. In it was the drawing. She requested that it be made for a Barbie doll. She had specific items pictured. Some of them were gems on a headband and on a ruffle around the bottom of the straight skirt, a big collar with a bow and a heart. I had freedom to choose the colors used.

Well... have been sort of putting off making the Barbie dress because they are hard to make. I was thinking that I might make doll dresses for a rag doll the size of raggedy Ann. I did go to pinterest and find some patterns, then I printed them.

I got busy babysitting, having a monster cold, writing episodes of a book, going to craft shows, helping Terry move his mom, and...putting it off. Shhhhh we don't want her to know that part. Her daddy called to talk to me on Mother's Day. She asked to have a word with me. She said, "Happy Mother's Day, Grandma. I'm a little concerned about the doll clothes you said you would make for me."
I said, "Why are you concerned?" (I think I knew the answer.)
"It has taken quite a long time."
"I will get to it as soon as I finish the episode I am writing."
"Okay, Grandma."

After we hung up, I felt guilty...but not guilty enough to sew yet. I did finish the episode and knew I had to get crackin'. I looked all over for the drawing....Oh no! I couldn't find it! As I went to sleep I prayed that I would find it. "Secretary Desk"...It was almost audible.

The next morning I searched the secretary desk. I found it there.  I had errands to do and needed to see my sister for a bit, so I forgot the sewing project. I did take the drawing to her house to show her and my nephew what I was going to be working on.

Today...this afternoon, I went to my fabric stash in search of good fabric for this fashion. It took quite a long time to get it just right. I had to find the Barbie from my childhood days to be my body form for her doll. I got out the pattern that I printed off and it was too small.

I tried to enlarge it, but couldn't get it through my head how to make it work. I climbed on a chair to the top of a closet and found my old Barbie clothes. (Remember when we only had 2 Barbies and we changed their clothes all the time?) Anyway, there was one dress that was pretty beat up and that  knew fit really cute. I took it and carefully pulled it apart for a pattern.

I was in the middle of cutting everything out when Terry got home. He went to town to see his Mom and to get some Sub sandwiches for us. While he was gone, I sewed the little dress up. I hope Sierra sees that Grandma kept her promise even if it took me a long time. At least it didn't take 50 years like replacing the 20 mule team Borax model did for my brother. hee hee.

I know I have a strange look on my face, but look at the cute design my little designer came up with. I am going to send it to her this week and hopefully, she will love it, too.