Ebay Blogging

Well, Ebay is now the latest to try blogging and I must say that is where I have been the past few days, busy blogging over there. There is more incentive over there. The first thing is they are offering prize money for the blogs if yours is chosen and the second thing is you actually get feedback from the people that read your blog which is more than I can say for my postings here.

While I have been encouraged from others on blogger to keep working at it, I will get people to read mine soon, somedays I feel I am just writing my own diary that no one peeks at.

Today, I received a thank you card and three pictures from a family in NY that I sent a quilt to since they were flooded out of their home. These people are police dispatchers, but the pictures of their young son with his happy smile all curled under one of my quilts was the best thing I could have seen today. It was exciting!

Here are some more quilts I am selling for charity...$35 each or $$65 for both. They are 45" x 47 1/2" and can be used for a wall, your feet while watching television, perhaps a family member in a nursing home, a baby, use your imagination, these are really nice and have some hand applique on one of them.

I originally was asking $60 each knowing all the work I have put into these, but recently had several people tell me on my Ebay blog that while they are worth it, I should lower the price because people want more of a bargain instead of handmade quality. Is that true? In a world filled with drive-in wedding chapels, drive in churches, drive-thru food and banking and yet few drive-in theaters anymore where a family can go and take their own food and sit in the back of the truck and watch movies....I would hope that people out there would want something someone has put their time and heart into.

What do you think? I'd be interested in your opionions.

Asking for Prayers

I believe in prayer and I definitely believe in my God above and all that He has brought me through. He has a plan in my life and I feel it so strongly moving and gently pushing me forward.

My husband and I are raising our 3 grandchildren and we need prayer. If you are Christian, Jewish, Buddist, etc. please pray for us. Here is the situation.

Father is in prison for a probation violation. He calls children weekly, writes to them several times weekly and they see him 1-2 times per month. They miss and love their daddy & they know why he is in prison and they tell him all the time he should have been good.

Mom just picked up and left last year with baby #4. Mom does Meth, has spent over $7000 since December on Meth (sure not her babies), rarely calls, only sees them when it can make her points (birthdays, holidays, etc.) was pregnant with another mans child (supposedly lost child), sleeps all the time, doesn't work and brings baby #4 to us as much as she can. We don't mind that part.

We have permanent legal guardianship and now my husband has the possibility of getting a job in a small quiet town in Washington where we can live with our windows open without fear of a break in, or walk down the street without fear of being shot (live in Phoenix now).

We have to go to court to get permission to take children with us out of state. They have lived with us since birth, other grandmother has nothing to do with them at all. I don't think the judge will have a problem, but I do believe mom and grandmother will try to pull something.

Pray this is Gods will and it will be done!

God Bless and Thank you all.

A thank you from Broome County New York

For those of you reading my blog who might question my sincerity or honesty (I can't blame you in todays era), I simply ask you to read the following post that was posted to 911care.com, a website that helps dispatchers out:

From: Pandich, James C. Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 6:53 PM
To: kevin@pstc911.com
Subject: Ranny Jean the Quilting Dispatcher
Hello Kevin –
Greetings once again from Broome County NY! Just wanted to drop you a quick note and let you know that we just received 5 beautiful quilts from Jean Kester from Avondale AZ. She made these quilts for five children of our dispatchers affected by flooding in June and July of this year that the members of your group have shown such generous support to. Once again we would like to thank you and everyone involved for the support, kindness and generosity that all of you have shown.
God Bless!
Jim PandichAnd the Broome County NY 911 Center

These are real people that I quilt for with families and loved ones that need our help, that need YOUR help. Won't you show these dispatchers and their families that you care? Won't you take the time to send me your pocket change for a day or week?

I am not asking you to send me a million dollars, a thousand dollars, a hundred or even fifty dollars, I am asking you to send me your pocket change so I can help these people in need.
If you don't want to do that, do as one anonymous donor did recently and pick a few of the things I need below, order them and mail them to me.

Here is a list from a company called Connecting Threads:

1.) 20908 Neutral Thread 19.90 (Set)
2.) 20909 Pastel Thread 7.95 (2) (Set)
3.) 20910 Bright Thread 15.90 (Set)
4.) 20911 Country Thread 23.85 (Set)
5.) 20912 Varigated Thread 23.90 (Set)
6.) 80932 Need to Know Card 5.95
7.)80595 Triangle Measurement Card 5.00
8.)81035 Perfect Binding Card 5.95
9.)35537 Quick Quilts for Holidays 9.98
10.) 44243 French Braid Quilts 17.46

All you need to do is go to www.connectingthreads.com and place an order and have it mailed to me at:Jean Kester P.O. Box 1652 Avondale, AZ 85323. It is really that easy. I don't get your credit card information, all I get is the order you placed and hopefully you will include your name and at least city and start so I can thank you on this blog.

**Don't forget, I have several quilts for sale, contact me for further details.

Fall Leaves Quilts

Looking at these quilts, you can almost feel the dew in the air as the seasons quickly change from summer to fall. The quilts are

47 1/2" x 45" and are a varied combination of the pumpkin/sunflower pattern. I have made 2 of these quilts. the first is the one shown with the pumpkin/squash and it is hand appliqued with gold thread that makes the veins stand out and shine. The second quilt is almost identical with the exception that the applique on it is machined with green thread. These are perfect quilts for a lap quilt or as a wall hanging.

I had these quilts listed in Ebay for a charity auction for the National Autism Center, however, no one bid on them though I had plenty of lookers.

I am asking $60 per quilt or $100 for both with 15% of the proceeds going to Autism research.

You can feel safe ordering these by going through paypal to complete the deal.

If you have any further questions, please contact me so I can share my quilting ministry with you. I believe while I may not be world famous, my quilts are made with love and blessed by above.

Playing in the rain

How many times as children did we splash in the puddles after the rain and watch as it fell from inside? Well, yesterday once again it poured on our side of town in Phoenix (I say this because my husband was working in another area that got no rain at all).

Instead of keeping my grandchildren inside, I allowed them to go out in the pouring rain and play and that is what they did. They played old games like red light/green light and duck,duck goose, the laughed, they chased each other and when the rain was done they walked through the puddles splashing and laughing.

Sometimes, we keep children indoors for our convenience, because it is easier on us, but today, I want to challenge anyone reading this, let your inner child go and let your children play in the rain. Today, they are happy, loved and still talking about the rain and wanting to know if it will rain today.

Of course, you do need to not let them out if it is a thunder storm, but a gentle cool rain is just what most kids need.

God Bless you all!

Frustrated with Blogger

I am not a computer geek, nerd or specialist. My idea of a good day is turn on my computer and it works. Therefore I get a bit testy when people do upgrades in the name of improvements of the system and it turns into a disaster.

My opinion only on the new BETA version of blogger, but so far I am not one bit impressed with any of it. I make quilts for a living & to give to charity. I ask people to adopt a quilt so someone else can have it and what good is my blog if I can't get pictures to post to it? Hello, someone out there take notice I am not a happy camper right now!

I am not going to change browers or add a ton of new stuff to my computer to be able to do in BETA what I was doing without any problems in the older version of blogger.

So, excuse my while I scream at the moon because this is making me crazy!!

Frustrated with Blogger

I am not a computer geek, nerd or specialist. My idea of a good day is turn on my computer and it works. Therefore I get a bit testy when people do upgrades in the name of improvements of the system and it turns into a disaster.

My opinion only on the new BETA version of blogger, but so far I am not one bit impressed with any of it. I make quilts for a living & to give to charity. I ask people to adopt a quilt so someone else can have it and what good is my blog if I can't get pictures to post to it? Hello, someone out there take notice I am not a happy camper right now!

I am not going to change browers or add a ton of new stuff to my computer to be able to do in BETA what I was doing without any problems in the older version of blogger.

Horse Property for Sale, West Phoenix, under $200K

We're a little bit city and a whole lotta country and we are selling our little corner of the world for under $200,000, which is practically unheard of in this area for horse property. You read this right, horse property in the Phoenix area for under $200,000. We are asking $180,000 for our home and property.

You get horse property (you can keep up to 4 horses), while all the time having the amenities most people want from the city (sidewalks, driveways,soon to be 2 brand new daycare facilities within 1 mile of the house, grocery store, brand new Target & Ross stores, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Banks, etc. all within 3 miles of the house). Yet, you have the peacefulness of living in the country with the best neighbors anyone has ever had since Sheriff Taylor lived in Mayberry.

Front yard is grass with 2 mature shade trees (non-desert type trees). Carport holds 5 vehicles at the same time so you don't have to park in the street. Large RV gate and RV cement pad in the back yard. Block fence (6 foot tall). Back yard has an animal pen, large oval grassy area border by concrete curbing (plenty of room for the trampoline and swing set). Large above ground garden area with sprinkler system set on timer.

Mans dream of a work shop (16' x 20'), 2 story (has loft storage), gambrel roofed complete with indoor outdoor carpet, hot air roof vent, cabinets, storage, electric and telephone. Two large flourescent lights to keep you working after you enjoy the beautiful sunsets.Water softener system (enclosed in a Rubbermaid Storage Center), hot water valve on the outside of the house, bug zapper, sun screens all around, security/motion lighting, white security front screen door, custom light fixture in front. Not to mention we just planted 11 shade/fruit trees, shrubs and vines in the yard.

Step inside this beautifully kept 3 bedroom, 2 bath, over 1600 square foot manufactured home and you will immediately be drawn to the custom faux painted entertainment center that looks like it has been covered in rock and men...it will hold a 44" flat screen television. Small portable lights make the perfect lighting to watch television by in the evenings.

Ceiling fans in all rooms, fresh semi-gloss colored walls (not a white wall to be found). Custom designed coat closet with large shelving spaces & adjustable coat rack.The dining/family room has a bay window, built in china hutch with leading glass door inserts, telephone hook up, cable and computer hook ups. Could actually be walled off and make it another bedroom or private office.

Kitchen ladies...is unbelievable. Bay window sitting area for dining, bay window above kitchen sink for keeping a watchful eye on the little ones while they play in the back yard, or just lookig at the Estrella Mountains from the windows. Slide in, ceramic cook top, self-cleaning Maytag oven, a builting in 2 shelf Maytag microwave and a 3 rack Maytag whisper quiet dishwasher.The sink has a pewter high necked faucet and sprayer. There are 2 pantries and an extra large appliance garage inside one of the pantries that hold lots of things. There are a total of 22 cabinets, 14 drawers and the 2 pantries. There is a nice ceramic tile edged kitchen island and 9 recessed lights in the ceiling for a brighter kitchen when it is dark outside.

Step inside the laundry room and you think you have gone to heaven. It has room for a stand up freezer and it has more cabinets. There are 2 cabinets above the washer and dryer with a hanger bar for clothes between them. On the opposite wall, there are 12 cabinets (6 top and 6 lower) with a counter that is over 7' in length. A great place for folding clothes or setting plants.There is also a custom built-in shoe rack for placing shoes when you come in from the back yard.The hall has custom covered wall socket plates and switch plates and a new 3 light fixture for more light. The closet has floor to ceiling shelves for lots of storage space.

The first bedroom is perfect for children with its bright dual Disney colored walls and angel print border. It has a custom shelf over the window for collectibles you don't want children to reach and also a rod for curtains. The wall plates and sockets are all custom designed covers and the closet has 4 sliding doors to access its large inside.

The second bedroom is smaller (currently being used as a craft room) and has custom designed closet shelfing, drawers and clothes racks. It looks out upon the backyard.The bathroom has new hardware and custom designed and molded butterfly pull knobs, an over the toilet shelf that is anchored to the wall and has glass doors with butterflys on them as well as they cover the toilet seat.

The master bedroom has a walk-in closet, 2 long windows and cathedral ceilings. This is a huge master bedroom (currently houses a king sized 4 poster bed, 2 night stands, a 9 drawer chest, a 6 drawer chest, antique desk, cedar chest and curio cabinet) and you still have lots of room to move around in.The master bath has double sinks, a large garden tub with 2 windows to bring light into the room and a large shower with dual molded seats. There is a tall storage cabinet as well as cabinets and drawers under the bathroom sinks.

The home is wired and plumbed for dual Master Cool swamp coolers but we have never gotten around to putting them in.The area right now is all 1/3 - 1 acre manufactured home sites with horses. They will be building homes in the area soon. We have beautiful views of the Estrella Mountains, peaceful sunrises and sunsets and have never as much as had a leaf stolen off our trees, it is a great neighborhood and quiet.

We receive city services (police, fire, EMS, trash and street sweeping), the water is via a private water company and the home is set-up on a septic system. Taxes are aprx. $1300 per year.I haven't had an appraisel for a few years, but I am willing to bet the home and land appraise for at least $190,000, which I feel is low.

If you would like to see this home, know someone who might be interested, it is by appointment only and would need to be arranged through my realtor. NO AGENTS PLEASE!NASCAR FANS...WE ARE LESS THAN 3 MILES FROM PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY!Contact me at rannyjeanshaven@yahoo.com if you think you want to stop by and take a look.

I Still Need Help

Okay people out in the Blogger community, you can't tell me that not one person has been reading my posts and if you can't, then you need to tell me why no one has yet sent me their pocket change? Come on people, you expect 911 operators to help you when you need help, where is there help when the call goes out?

Check your pockets, right now and count your change. What do have in there? A few dollars maybe, some bills & some change (don't worry about the bills, just send the change). Better yet, I challenge you to save up your pocket change for one week and send it to me.

Dispatchers care, can you say the same thing?

Fall Leaves Quilt for Sale, Magnificent Quilt!

I have given thought today that many of you who read this (if anyone really does), may be a bit hesitant to send me money or purchase a quilt from me not knowing if I am for real or not. Let me assure you I am more genuine than most vehicles today that say they are made in the USA!

So, here are some pictures of my latest project, a beautiful 45" X 47 1/2" fall leaves quilt with hand appliqued pumpkins and squash done in clear thread and tiny gold stitches on the pumpkin to give it color and rich tone.The colors are rich wine, oranges, yellows and I used a delicate vine/leaf pattern for the stitching of the top to the back. The back is a heavy stiffer type black fabric that makes an excellent quilt back for a lap quilt or a wall hanging. Trust me the pictures don't do this quilt justice. Neither does the Blogger BETA right now that won't download pics. Check it out under Ebay & go to oilman85037 as the seller.

I just listed it in EBay under fall leaves quilt and I am asking for a minimum bid of $60 with 15% of the profit going to the Autism Society and the remainder back into making more quilts for dispatchers. Use paypal and know your purchase is protected.I believe you will find my quilts of very high quality and workmanship and I pray over each quilt as I make them knowing just the right person is going to buy them. So, go on over to Ebay and check out the rest of the pictures.

Financial Backing, A Blessing

This is a quilting blog, but in reality it is so much more, it is a piece of who I am.This week, I have been working on knotting the last quilt for the New York dispatchers and next week, I will send them out via UPS. Never knowing where I will get the extra money from, it appears as a blessing when least expected.

Yesterday, in the mail was a $100 check for my quilting cause. It was a major blessing. Also with it was a very nice polo shirt with the companies logo on it & since this company also benefits other dispatchers, I will wear it proudly.

I also want to recognize and thank the anonymous donor who provided me with the following supplies: 2 scissor leashes/2 rotary cutter holders/2 needle cases/big eyed needles/quilt kit (for future money making purposes) & a quilting book. May God bless you for reaching out to someone in need without thought of a tax write off. I can guarantee everyone, this money & the supplies go right back into my quilts.My mom even blessed me this week with an entire box of fabric in an assortment of colors all ranging from 1-2 1/2 yards in a variety of colors and patterns and that saves me money.

I have friends who have tried to get their local papers to pick up my story and even my local papers, but no one seems interested in publishing a story about a dispatcher that makes quilts to help others. Yet our local paper will print front page stories on old ladies in the red hat club getting their nails done. Go Figure!!

If you are a publisher, editor, writer or know someone in these fields, please contact me for my story, I feel it really needs to get out about the work I am doing to help those dispatchers and police officers in need.

Hate to say it, but even my own department doesn't support me, but there will be those that do & they will be blessed!Have a blessed day and remember: 'God is always at work around us.' Sometimes, we just don't realize it or see it because we are too busy living in our own little world!

Don't Make a Skinny Guy Mad...

My husband and I will soon be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary & with any luck we will celebrate it with new beginnings in Aberdeen, Washington. In the meantime, I don't want any of you reading this to think my husband is a mean person or bad person, because he is the most compassionate, caring, loving man I have ever met. He is just quick witted and sometimes doesn't think...

We were joking the other day with our insurance agent about hubbies weight (he is 6' 138#) and he has always weighed this much since our marriage. He just has this quick metabolism that never slows down even at 48 years of age, I have seen him run circles around men 1/2 his age.

Anyway, I am at the opposite end (5'7 200# (gotta love anti-depressants)). So, he tells the agent he weighs 142# and I asked him since when? You have never weighed more than 138# & that is what you weighed last night. Are you sure you weigh 142#?

Quick witted and sometimes dim witted he replies? 'Are you sure you only weigh 200#?' OUCH, that stung, but I quickly got over it and laughed it off because little does he know I have been working out for the last week & I am determined to not weigh 200# by the time they do our physicals.

The moral of this story...Don't make the skinny guy mad!!

I love ya Babe! You are still my hero that hangs the moon!

Please Check my other blog...

I don't think there is anything more beautiful than the leaves changing their colors to golds, oranges, browns and reds that only God could create. There is just something special about walking through or under tree's that are this color with little cool drops of dew or rain gently plopping down on your head, it is just the most peaceful feeling!

Today, it is actually 73 in the Phoenix area and I awoke to a gentle steady rain outside, one that just made me smile and thank God and my angels for bringing me happiness. You see, while others don't see this side of me, I suffer from mood disorder depression & am currently being treated with Lexapro 10 mg., but I am convinced it is the searing heat of the summers that just sucks the life out of me. But when it rains, my mood changes, I am singing, smiling and happy for awhile.

Thank you Lord Jesus for bringing happiness to my day today! It is it seems the answer to my prayers yesterday if I am supposed to sell my home and move to Washington...I now believe the answer is yes!

I switched my blog over to BETA, so please check out www.quiltsforacause.blogspot.com to check out all the other posts and see the pictures of the quilts I have made for police dispatchers in need. I am also working on cutting and pasting all my old posts to the Beta version.

Matter of fact, as an emergency dispatcher myself, that is why the title for this blog is Quilting 911, it is a blog that I hope will encourage many of you that read this to reach out and help me to help others in need.