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911 10th Anniversary

2011-09-10T00:07:00.002-06:00

I cannot believe it has been 10 years since the terrorist attack on the USA. Today, as a parent of a firefighter, I am even more in tune with that day. Firefighters, police, and paramedics all rushed into the terror of the Twin Towers as they were collapsing. I cannot even imagine the fear that these men and women felt when doing their job at a level that I hope they NEVER have to experience ever again in their careers.

As the mother of a firefighter, I say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the job you do. I remember where I was that day. Do you?

Wedding Quilt

2011-06-22T08:15:00.002-06:00

My niece and goddaughter got married to the love of her life on Saturday, June 18th, 29 years to the day that I married the love of MY life! Steve and I were thrilled when Jackie and Greg chose their date and we now share an anniversary!

Jackie grew up in MN and is a huge Twins/Vikings fan. Greg grew up in WI and is a huge Brewers/Packers fan! There is a lot of fun in their house when it comes to sports, although the Twins/Brewers only play each other once a summer. My sister and I decided to make them a tshirt quilt that depicts this division! LOL I had to scour 2nd hand stores for more Twins/Vikes shirts (not hard to find in MN) and Packers/Brewers shirts (CHALLENGING) in order to make it work! Here is the final product!!!

Here are Jackie and Greg after the rehearsal and opening their gift! They LOVED it and I know it will get a lot of use/love! It's always a thril when the quilt/gift is appreciated!
And here is a pic of Jackie and Greg after cutting their cake. They were a beautiful couple and the day was perfect! I hope they enjoy many happy years together...just like Steve and I have!

Mini Messenger

2011-04-20T10:15:00.002-06:00

This pattern came to me in the May/June McCall's Quilting magazine. The designer is Darci Wright. It's just an adorable way to tote your Ipad/Kindle or any other small electronic device. It can go across the chest so there's no falling off of your shoulder, making it a great purse for a shopping trip too!!! There's plenty of room for a small wallet as well. This is the one I made for myself.
Isn't it nice and springy?

I also made one for the caretaker of our condo building! Kathy saw the one above and fell in love with it! I was sneaky and asked her what her favorite colors were. She said purple and she always loves earthy tones. YEP...I found fabric for one! This is the inside. I added a pocket for the cell phone but if I do it again, I'd move it up higher on the back. I wanted to conceal the one seam into the base of the holder not realizing how deep it would be. Oh well...live and learn!

Cute? I think so!

I hope she likes it!

Water damage...

2011-02-16T18:29:00.003-06:00

Well, this is one time I'm glad this happened in a condo and not in a single family home! Our homeowner's association will pay for the damage...which started with dripping water last night...a slow drip but dripping nonetheless! This morning the adventure of where it was coming from began! It started out with this small hole cut into our soffit...this told the men that a plumber needed to be called. Later in the afternoon, the plumber shows up and decides he needs to make the original hole bigger in order to see better. That didn't work so well so he had to make a HUGE hole above the microwave. (this is an interior wall) He's still not 100% sure about where the source of this water is...

He has made a big mess so far though...

He decides to make a smaller hole over to the left and now he's convinced that the drip is between hole #2 (in this picture) and hole #3. Hopefully, tomorrow he comes and replaces a large portion of the pipe and puts in a new one. More demolition to follow!!!

2011-02-08T23:05:00.002-06:00

Our temps here in MN were sub-zero to barely above zero so I stayed inside and quilted!! I bought this fabric the last time I was in CA to visit my friend Laurie. I appliqued the hearts and finally put it together! I figured it was perfect for Valentine's Day! Here's a close-up of some of the hearts and the border fabric. I think I like it!!! Tomorrow...a backing for it!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Big City girl

2011-01-30T17:51:00.003-06:00

I am a big city girl. I grew up in Rochester, Mn which was a medium sized town. Since then...St. Paul, Apple Valley MN, Burnsville MN, Overland Park KS and now Minneapolis MN. I love love love big cities! Chicago is a place near and dear to my heart as well...did I say I love love love big cities???!!!!!!!

There is always so much to do. Concerts, great restaurants, shopping, public transportation, and so much more. Plus...in a large city you always have the suburbs to explore. You can also find peace and tranquility as well!

For example...when I left MN for KS, I missed the great quilt stores. BUT...I did find a couple that I liked a lot. One of them was in Lawrence, KS called Sarah's. She had fabric along with a lot of other stuff. Lawrence is home to the KU Jayhawks which we became fans of. I miss KS!!!

I love Mpls though too! We have great restaurants nearby and walk everywhere. Steve walks to work and we got rid of a car! Rush hour traffic doesn't exist for us anymore! YEP...it's a BONUS!!! What I do miss about urban living: a house, a deck, a yard, and not sharing walls with people. Nothing in life is perfect...but my life is!!!

Special Quilt...

2011-01-27T21:37:00.003-06:00

Our favorite bartender at Old Chicago in Roseville, MN is moving to Atlanta to be near her sister and her sister's family. Jess has such a warm and welcoming heart and we are truly going to miss her. When we got the news I told Steve, I'm going to make her a quilt! Jess LOVES Spiderman so I ordered some Spiderman fabric for the backing! Here is the backing with a large WoW fabric for signatures! That is Jess!
I used Old Chicago World Beer Tour tshirts from Steve's and my supply to make the top...the border fabric is beer mugs/steins on black background...PERFECT!!!
Jess and I with her quilt!
This is Jess opening her quilt...stupid blogger uploads the pics in the reverse order of choosing them! SO...you saw the gifting in reverse order!
Jess is gonna miss us and the feeling is mutual! GOOD LUCK JESS!!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-01T00:59:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year to anyone and everyone who reads this blog! I hope that 2011 brings your family good health and happines!

Crockpot Blog

2010-12-30T09:15:00.006-06:00

This is a wonderful blog. If you haven't visited Stephanie's blog, RUN over there now! She has it set up to be very user friendly and her search engine is fabulous. Her 2nd book is out now and I just received it yesterday via UPS. I also was given her first book for Christmas as well.

If you are a working person and want hot, healthy, and delicious meals waiting for you when you get home from work...these cookbooks and/or the blog are for you! I even bought 2 of my kids crockpots and the first book for Christmas. I sure hope they use them!

Here is our family pic from Christmas this year. We had a great time and were able to see both sides of our family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

Some pictures from St. Louis weekend

2010-12-13T16:44:00.002-06:00

We managed to get through PJ's mom's funeral. Sarah and PJ were exhausted but we salvaged the weekend and had fun at the St. Louis Blues hockey game on Saturday night! Here are Steve and I in the box.
3 of the kids...Dan, Joe, and Sarah...Kevin had to work and didn't make it. ;-(
Post game spirits...I hate whiskey and these 3 made me go "ICK"! LOL
Dan and PJ being silly with the menu!
Love this pic of Sarah and PJ!!!
Now it's time to finish up loose ends for Christmas. I hope the weather holds out so my kids can make it to MN!!!

2010-12-06T19:45:00.001-06:00

Please keep my daughter Sarah's boyfriend PJ and his family in your prayers. His mom passed away yesterday morning of advanced colon cancer. It was found only about 4 weeks ago and she was hospitalized the day before thanksgiving for severe dehydration. On Friday night this past week, Sarah called and said that the cancer was everywhere and there was nothing they could do and that she had maybe 6 weeks to life. Diane (PJ's mom) went home on Saturday. Sunday morning she was unresponsive and taken back to the hospital. She died around 11:30 am yesterday.

We had plans for the 2 families to meet this weekend in St. Louis at the Blues hockey game. PJ still wants those plans to take place, as he said to me this morning, "I want to keep life normal and it'll be a good distraction.". I changed my flight to Wed. so I am there for the wake and funeral (Wed/Thurs). This was a shock and went very quickly. We know what it's like to lose our mom and my heart is heavy for the Hubert family right now.

Please keep them in your prayers

Miracles happen...

2010-10-13T15:59:00.004-06:00

The miracle that is unfolding in Chile is amazing. It's God at his finest!! I just loved it when this man came out and handed out rocks from the mine and hugged/high 5'd other miners who were there watching. The emotions of the loved ones being reunited does not get old either!!!

The hope for future mine collapses has made huge strides with this experience!!! Also, a huge kudos to the men/women who are involved in the rescue...5 people had to go down there in that small tube to help the rescue effort.

Portland, ME

2010-09-23T18:27:00.003-06:00

Steve had a more "pleasure than business" meeting in Kennebunkport, ME so we went early. We spent a couple of days in Portland, ME. Here we are at Sebago Brewpub. YUMMY beer! We also took a trolley tour and ended up at Portland Headlight...the most photographed lighthouse on the east coast! GORGEOUS!!!

We went to Kennebunkport where our hotel was only a mile from the George HW Bush family compound. WOW...if the flags are flying, they are home...they were home!

Can't go to Main and NOT have lobster...this is Louie the Lobster...my dinner on Sunday night!

We also sailed one afternoon...it was awesome!!!

If you can go to Maine...do it...you won't regret it!

Kindle Holder

2010-09-14T18:10:00.007-06:00

It was supposed to be a sunny day but it clouded up this afternoon. I wanted to touch fabric and reacquaint myself with my sewing machine...yet I didn't want a huge project. I decided to make another kindle holder for myself. I wasn't sure what colors I wanted to use but as soon as I opened up one of my drawers...I saw my focus fabric. The main fabric was a bandana that I received when I did the Susan G Komen race for the cure on Mother's Day this year...which also happened to be my 50th birthday. It is also the first time that I RAN a 5K!!! It was a huge day! Anyway...since October is breast cancer awareness month...it just jumped out at me! Here's a closeup of the strip that runs along the bottom of the front and the side of the back. It says survivor, hope, cure, strong...

On the inside I used one of my pink breast cancer ribbon fabrics.

And finally...here's the back! Didn't it turn out cute? And it's perfect for our trip to Portland, ME this weekend and early next week!

Did you do anything quilty today?

2010-09-13T19:41:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day here in Minneapolis. Steve and I literally dusted off our bikes and went for a ride! We rode to Uptown and had lunch at Old Chicago. We also started our Oktoberfest mini beer tour! Needless to say, we ate lunch out on the patio...perfect!!!

We headed back home and enjoyed the Minneapolis skyline as our motivation!!!

We worked up a thirst so we decided to stop at Town Hall Brewery and have a beer on their pation...this is the mural on the wall outside.

Here we are...well, the pic shouldn't be upside down but blogger is making me nuts today...flip your monitor and look at how cute we are! LOL

It was a great day!!! I hope you are enjoying your fall weather wherever you are!

I'm here!

2010-08-09T18:56:00.009-06:00

I have been busy traveling, taking care of the house in KS that just won't sell, and I managed to do some quilting too!!!

Here my girlfriends and I are on our snorkeling trip!
dinner out
a cold drink after a hot day at the pool!

And here's the tshirt quilt I made for niece's high school graduation! I finished the binding yesterday and hope to deliver it soon!!!

Say a prayer that our house in KS sells quickly! It goes back on the market after spending another $5k on the exterior. People want perfection and it's difficult!! We'll be on the market for one year in about 5 weeks...this is NOT a good time to have to sell a house but it's where we are.

ALOHA!!!

2010-07-14T12:58:00.004-06:00

Tomorrow gets nuts around here! My 2 youngest boys and a girlfriend are arriving LATE. We are going to the Twins game Friday night and just hanging out together for the weekend. Also, one of my BFFs from KS arrives with her fam tomorrow (a wedding) and I get to see her...

Then on Saturday my other BFF from KS arrives and Sunday...LOOK OUT OAHU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The island will never be the same after my 2 BFFs and I spend the week there! WOOHOO!!!

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.........

2010-06-11T08:40:00.001-06:00

SHHHHHHHHHHH...it's WORLD CUP 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The games have begun...but prayers for Nelson Mendela and his family as they mourn the death of his 13yo great-granddaughter who was killed by a drunk driver last night. Nelson wasn't able to enjoy the fruits of his labor and be at opening ceremonies and the opening game, South Africa vs. Mexico. Such a sad time for South Africa.

Commissioned T-shirt quilt

2010-06-02T19:41:00.002-06:00

I was asked to make a tshirt quilt for a HS graduation gift. I just LOVE making my unique tshirt quilts...much less one from my former HS!!! It was a joy to make and the recipient LOVED it! I'm still waiting for pics of her with the quilt but the email I received said it was amazing!!!

It was fun! One more to go...for my niece's HS graduation!!!

Susan G Komen, Mother's Day, and turning the big 5-0!!!

2010-05-09T14:21:00.006-06:00

YEP...all of my blog title happened TODAY!!! I ran my first 5K for the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer run, I talked to all of my 4 amazing kids, AND turned the big 5-0!!! It's been a super fun day even though I'm super duper tired!!! And, I'm super duper happy!!!

Here Steve and I are before the race at the Mall of America! It was almost 12 years of survival for me!

Ya gotta stretch out ya know! Avoid pulled muscles and all!! I DID IT!!!!!! I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!! I DID IT!!!!!!!!!! I ran the WHOLE way without walking!!!
Post race: I ran in celebration of me...Steve in celebration of his wife Laurie!! A victory kiss was in order! Steve was sooooo very proud of me and I was proud of myself as well! Bring on next year!!!
Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-08T20:11:00.001-06:00

If PINK roses grow in heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me. Place them in my Mothers arms and tell her they're from me. Tell her I Love her and when she turns to smile,place a kiss upon her cheek, and hold her for awhile. Remembering her is easy, I do it everyday, but there is an ache within my heart that will never go
away. Happy Mother's day MOM, miss ya a whole lot!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO EVERYONE!!!
(I did not write the above tribute either)

Twins Quilt Top

2010-05-04T12:35:00.003-06:00

Our MN Twins opened a new outdoor baseball stadium this year and it's been an exciting time! Steve and I bought a 20 season ticket package and being outside has been great so far...but Thursday night might be a bit chilly. SOOOO...I made a quilt top. I hope to have it quilted/bound by Thursday night!!! I couldn't find Twins fabric so I made a tshirt quilt to keep us warm on a chilly outdoor evening at the park!!!

It's been awhile...

2010-03-17T21:31:00.004-06:00

Nothing quilty to report! The baby quilt from January is bound and ready for delivery. Hopefully on Saturday we'll make the delivery and see our new great nephew!

Tomorrow is my son Kevin's 23 bday. He wanted a pouch for his cell phone so I googled "drawstring bags" and made him one! This is the finished product with the drawstrings tightened up.
I lined it with soccer ball fabric...sure hope he likes it!

The outside fabric is black with tone-on-tone black stars.

Also, 2 weeks ago our youngest, Fireman Dan, celebrated his 21st bday! Steve and I went to KS to celebrate with him, his bro and his sister! It was a lot of fun!
This was his first legal beer...12:01 a.m. on March 4th!!! After 2 sips he told the bartender, Jon, this just feels WRONG...give me a mountain dew! LOL...we were at our stomping ground, Old Chicago and of course Jon refused Dan's request! We missed Joe though!!!

Long time...........

2010-03-13T18:57:00.002-06:00

It's been awhile since I posted! My youngest, Dan, turned 21 on March 4th. DH and I went to KC and celebrated with him, his bro and sis. We missed Joe, who's in NJ!!! It was a fun time though and I'm glad we made the trek!

I need to finish a baby quilt for my nephew and his wife's new baby that was born on March 8th. And a couple of other quilty things are in the works.

Other than that...not a lot going on...I'm still alive though!

VACATION...

2010-02-04T20:37:00.002-06:00

Headed to West Palm Beach, FL tomorrow! Some relaxation in the sun is going to be a welcomed blessing!

Baby Quilt

2010-01-20T18:55:00.003-06:00

This quilt top is for my nephew and his wife who are expecting their first child in March. The body pieces of the 'pillar were supposed to be made out of strip sets using different colors but similiar to the face (i did the strip set for that). I didn't want to go to all that hassle so I just used a "stripe" fabric from my stash! I just think this is adorable...OH SHOOT...I just realized I forgot to put the antenna on there! TOMORROW!
It's hard to tell from the pic, but the background of the 9P's is a light minty green. The whiter fabric has primary color dots on it. I just fell in LOVE with this pattern! Now for a backing and get it quilted! It felt good to sew!!!

Haiti Update

2010-01-15T08:18:00.003-06:00

James contacted Sarah yesterday. His WHOLE family except for one cousin is SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, I don't know about injuries or their outlook, but what a miracle that only one cousin perished. That of course is very sad, but it could've been much worse. Thanks for your prayers!

Haiti...

2010-01-14T10:37:00.003-06:00

Prayers for the victims of the horrible earthquake in Haiti. My daughter's co-worker's whole family lives in Port-au-Prince and he cannot get ahold of them. Last I heard he was on his way to Miami and hoping to get to Haiti.

Keep everyone in your prayers but if you can say a special prayer for James and his family it would be greatly appreciated.

I think I'll quilt!!!

Christmas

2009-12-29T23:44:00.004-06:00

It was a year of new traditions and stuff we didn't even think about. Weather almost prevented Steve, Joe and I from making it to KS but we did. The weather did stop us from making it to Rochester the day after Christmas. It snowed for 3 days solid in KS and that is UNHEARD of. We had a good time...shared laughs (lots of them), serious chats, tears, anger...well you name it and we experienced it. Would I change a thing? NOPE...oh, church services were cancelled for the 24 and 25...it was weird not to go to church for Christmas...but it was what it was!

I was there...the puppy wanted attention!

Joe and Sarah got a kick out of his stocking hat with a poof ball on it!

Dan with his goodyear blimp snow globe! LOL he loved it!

Autumn loved being with gpa...nap time!

the annual pic with the kids and the christmas tree...we were at dans...this was as good as it got!

A visit from Kevin and Kristin

2009-12-20T16:03:00.002-06:00

Thursday Kevin and his girlfriend of 2+ months came for a visit! Steve and I had a lot of fun while they were here and it was great to get to know Kristin better. Steve and I had met her in October at a soccer game. She was pretty shy then and Steve and I decided she was very different from any other girl Kev had introduced us to. All the others were pretty outgoing!!!

This trip though...we found out that YEP, she is different...SHE IS AWESOME!!! She has a great sense of humor and loves to give Kevin a little bit of razzing! She and I spent Friday together at the Mall of America! Kristin was soooooooooooooo very excited to go there! Steve and Kev met us out there for dinner at the end of the day.

They left today...drove to Madison, WI to see a good high school friend of Kev's and then on to a suburb of Chicago to spend a few days with Kristin's family.

Here's the cute couple!!!

11 years ago today...

2009-12-01T19:44:00.001-06:00

Here is my story of being a breast cancer survivor...today is a day that I choose to celebrate!!!

Breast Cancer

I hope you are inspired...have your mammos and do your monthly exams!

Back from a much needed vacation!

2009-11-02T18:33:00.003-06:00

Steve and I went to Phoenix for a week. We enjoyed some wonderfully warm weather except for 2 days that required jeans and a jacket! Best of all, it was a lot of R&R!!!

We took advantage of a couple of wineries...
Spent the day in Sedona...gorgeous! It also included a stop at a quilt store!!!

We also found a few brewpubs and had some new beers! Always fun!!!

We took in Taliesman...Frank Lloyd Wright's home/school and then some. If you are ever in Phoenix I would highly recommend taking in this tour!!!

There were also some very GORGEOUS and STUNNING sunsets!!!

Now...today...it was back to reality! Laundry, groceries, Target, and back to exercising!!! But...life is good!!!

Vacation

2009-10-31T23:35:00.001-06:00

Heading home tomorrow from a week long vacation in Phoenix. We had a super quiet, relaxing time here! My own bed will feel good tomorrow!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-01T22:06:00.003-06:00

It's breast cancer awareness month. If you don't do monthly self exams...please do. If you have discovered a lump and ignored it...PLEASE DON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you self checks!
Get your annual mammogram!
Don't ignore warning signs!!!

I am almost an 11 year survivor and am thankful for every day I am alive! Take care of yourselves ladies and gentlemen! (yes, men can get BC)

Quilting room pics

2009-09-22T16:12:00.002-06:00

Here are pics of my quilting room! This is stuff hanging over my doors. Gotta utilize all the wall space for decor since most of my wall space is taken up with my design wall.
I just got my design wall up and running today!!! FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!

This is my pressing area and my sewing machine!

This is my cutting area under the window. It's great to have something to watch while cutting something out!

It's small, but it'll work!!!

FINALLY...something quilty!

2009-09-21T21:42:00.002-06:00

This weekend, my daughter Sarah is a bridesmaid in her best friend's wedding. Molly will marry Matt and so I had to make a quilt. Can you guess what Molly's favorite color is??? YEP...you guessed it, GREEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sure hope she and Matt like it! Here's a close-up of the fabs. It's all quilted and the binding is on. I just have to do the hand stitching!
It sure felt good to quilt a bit!

Martha Stewart look out...

2009-08-18T15:53:00.005-06:00

OK...so I got a bee up my "you know what" to make homemade spaghetti sauce cuz I am B*O*R*E*D...I went to the farmer's market this morning and got fresh tomatoes, carrots, and onions along with parsley and oregano. This is a totally MN grown spaghetti sauce! Here are the goods...with a few tomatoes to spare...First I had to core the tomatoes and then skin them by dunking them in a pot of boiling water and wait for the skin to split...

Then douse them in an ice water bath...

once they were cooled off the skin magically peeled off...I was totally impressed that this worked...Google is a good thing!!!

Here are the tomatoes in all of their "nakedness"...LOL after prepping the spices, onions, and carrots (yep, there are carrots in here...see ingredients above)...it is still simmering down to spaghetti sauce consistency.

I have tasted it and it's AMAZING...a bit spicy cuz there's crushed red pepper in there as well...but I think this recipe is a winner. I'm not sure how much it's gonna cost me...the tomatoes were about $8 and carrots were about .50...spices about $1 or so...when I see how much I get out of it I'll have a better idea of the cost...but it doesn't matter cuz it's way better than store bought!!!

Condo pics...

2009-08-16T15:11:00.003-06:00

OK...we're not completely settled but here ya go...I hung a quilt up in the entry way...my future quilt gallery is finally started! WOOHOO!!!
This will be the sitting room...right now it's the "where should we put it" room! LOL Here's the master bath...beyond the wallon the left is the shower...the toilet is to the right of the towels...and the tub is behind the door on the right! You can see one of the double sinks to the left!

Master closet...before the master bath...just walk thru the door ahead and see the bath above! LOL

The master bedroom...

guest bath...

Steve's space...

the closet to steve's space...we NEED NEED NEED shelves!!!

my sewing room...still a WIP

my fabric closet

my sewing room as viewed from the family room

here's the kitchen and eating area from the family room

The deck before I spent 3 minutes reorganizing! LOL

This might work better...we'll give it a try...the jury is still out on this one!

SO...there ya have it...our condo...about 75% done...I still need to get my cutting area and design wall set up and then I'll be good to go!!!

Kitchen table arrived...

2009-07-23T15:25:00.003-06:00

The new kitchen table arrived the other day... Problems with a chair...repairs...and now it's perfect!!

Almost done...

TADA...I want to find a neat graphic cloth for the chair covers...the tan isn't working for me!!!
I have quilted a little bit but no pics...just assembling HST's that I had from a looooong time ago but it was nice to sew a bit!!!

House...

2009-07-14T19:52:00.004-06:00

So...we had an offer on our house in KS today...an INSULTING offer at that! They offered us $100K less than our asking price and that offer is $30K less than we paid for it 8yrs ago minus the pool, the landscaping around the pool, the finished basement, the granite countertops, and the theatre room and its equipment. WOW...really???????????? Is this a JOKE? I know the real estate business is rough right now but seriously people...make an offer that shows you want the house.

After reading the offer that our realtor sent via email...the couple only qualify for a sales price of $350K. IF, and I repeat IF...we said yes to this insulting offer...these people couldn't afford the property taxes and upkeep of the pool. What are people thinking? We've had a mortgage crisis here in America and they would be just another chapter in that book if we agreed to sell it to them...WHICH WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for listening to me vent! PS...the sewing room is ALMOST done...I might be able to purchase what I need for my design wall and cutting board area! WOOHOO!!!

July 4th...2009

2009-07-06T14:51:00.002-06:00

Sarah and her pup arrived Thursday night. We enjoyed the evening on our little deck with a few margaritas!

I said good morning to Autumn on Friday!

Friday we went shopping and Saturday we spent constructing furniture and rearranging furniture! It was great to have Sarah's input...AND help!!!!

Saturday night we were invited to the rooftop deck, met some people in the building and watched the fireworks. It was pretty cool!!!

Sunday I made breakfast and got Sarah and Autumn on the road back to KS. It was fun to have them here...I miss them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still a mess...

2009-06-28T19:44:00.003-06:00

There's a long way to go...but here's my sewing room...it needs a little TLC...stay tuned!!!

............

2009-06-24T22:41:00.003-06:00

I'm not dead...just buried in BOXES!!!!!!!!!!!! It took me almost 3 days to get the kitchen unpacked and organized.

Here's a pic of the kitchen after we closed on it. More chaos pics later...I need some zzzzzzzzz's now!

My life in 3 snapshots...

2009-06-18T09:25:00.001-06:00

Happy 27th Anniversary Steve!!!! I love you!!! See you tomorrow.

Moving...

2009-06-17T22:31:00.004-06:00

The moving van showed up today. Lots of boxes everywhere and there's still more to do. Tomorrow they will be back to HOPEFULLY finish up. I have a night planned with girlfriends and do NOT want to delay it. It will be fun but emotional! Delivery date of our stuff to MN will be this Saturday. Keep me in your prayers...this is rough...tomorrow, 6/18 is our 27th anniversary and we'll be apart for the first time EVER...not fun...

Maui...

2009-06-17T01:21:00.004-06:00

Here are a few pics from our trip to Maui with Steve's parents. It was a super trip...now to the task of moving...UGH...NOT NOT NOT happy about it but I want to be with Steve so it's what I have to do. I'll be out of commission for several days. Don't worry about me...just a change of location!

Steve and his dad took the SAME tshirt to be their "pool" shirt...UGH...

Steve and I in Maui

Steve, myself and his parents in Maui...

Steve and I at the Luau...

Our final sunset...GORGEOUS...

A new life looms...

2009-06-04T21:55:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow I fly to Mn and tie up loose ends on our condo. I will be with Steve, the love of my life, and feel like life starts anew. We fly to Maui on Sunday for a week with his parents and then it's back to KS to have us packed and moved to MN. It's a very disconcerting time in my life. I am sad...yet incredibly happy to be with Steve. It's been a difficult 9 months apart (although we had a lot of times together)...but talking on the phone every night at 8:00 just isn't the same as getting caught up in person over dinner.

Leaving kids and friends behind breaks my heart...but when I got married, almost 27 years ago, it was for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness in health, until death do us part. And this living apart...well, in one word...it SUCKS...............

Keep us in your prayers...pray our house in KS sells...and that I find friends to love like the friends that I love so much here in KS.

It's June.............

2009-06-01T20:55:00.001-06:00

My days are numbered..............................

SAD...............

2009-05-30T20:52:00.002-06:00

tomorrow my fridge and deck table/chairs will be gone. I have a few things to sell on Craig's List, then a week in Maui before moving back to MN. When we moved to KS, almost 8 years ago, I always said I wanted to go back "home" to MN...but HOME is KS now. I do not want to leave my kids...DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT want to leave my kids here...not to mention friends as well.

I AM SAD.....................................................

Graduation Tshirt Quilt

2009-05-27T13:16:00.003-06:00

This tshirt quilt is for my niece and goddaughter for her graduation gift. I sure hope she likes it! I just LOVE making these types of quilts because of the individuality of each and every one of them!

Girl's Night at the "K"

2009-05-14T22:52:00.002-06:00

Tonight was "Girl's Night at the K"...Kaufman Stadium, home to the KC Royals. From left to right: me, Nancy, Denise, and Carla...What a BLAST!!! It was my bday celebration with the girls!

Even Sluggerrrrrrrrrrrr posed with me...aren't we cute?

There was a contest for "Fan of the Game"...I was one of 2 people to compete on the big screem

And the WINNER IS....................................................

YEP...ME! I got a $25 gift card to a local grocery store and coupons for some free bottles of marinade! YES!

FUN times before I move in about a month...*SIGH*

College Graduate

2009-05-12T19:50:00.002-06:00

Well, last Saturday was my birthday...but more importantly, our 3rd child, Kevin, graduated from college! Our one and only college grad and it was a super day! Don't we look happy???

Kev with Mandy...gosh I just LOVE this girl!

Kev, Miranda, and one of his roommates Riley!

Riley, Chewy, and Kev...gotta love these guys!

Last but not least...Kev at the NICEST dinner he's ever been at. He's gnawing on a prime rib bone even though I told him it was NOT the type of restaurant to do that in! LOL...he said, "Mom, I can't leave this meat on the bone!" OK...he got me on that one!

We had a super weekend! Congrats and love ya buddy!

GRRRRRRRRRRRR...........

2009-04-30T17:08:00.001-06:00

Moving SUCKS...I JUST WANNA QUILT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I'm sad about possibly having to give up my longarm...gotta give a little to get a little I guess. *SIGH*

Condo construction is progressing...

2009-04-28T17:23:00.002-06:00

Here I am standing in my sewing room, looking into the living area. See that vent hole cut at the bottom right...there was a matching one on the other wall...NOT GOOD!! The built in fabric storage cabinets were supposed to go on those walls...either side of the double doors. OH NO...not to worry! I went there with the cabinet dude on Monday, met with the electrician, wood guy, and heat guy...we had to make a few adjustments on the dimensions of the storage units but they will work! WHEW!!! Unfortunately, I think the longarm is going to have to go...it's too big.

Here I am contemplating the issue!!!

This is going to be the kitchen. That electrical thingy sticking up in the middle of the floor will be the electricity in the peninsula. Aren't the floors GORGEOUS??? Even though they have a ton of sheetrock dust on them, they are stunning!

This is the door to our small (30 sqare foot) deck, and the eating area is where the boards are standing up.

Here we are...YEP...424 is OURS!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was fun to see everything progressing!

Happy 82nd Birthday Dad!!!

2009-04-25T07:42:00.003-06:00

Today is my dad's 82nd birthday! There is a LOT I could say about this man, like:
how hard he worked to support his family (he was self-employed for 26 years),
how much he LOVED and RESPECTED my mom (RIP mom),
how he didn't, and still doesn't, have to use a lot of words (sometimes THAT look sufficed) to get his message across,
how he lives his life with integrity,
how he will do anything to help a person in need,
how he puts Christ into his every day living...
and on and on and on...

Mostly though...I LOVE YOU DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for loving my mom the way you did and us kids as well!!!!!!!!!!!! I have the BEST dad in the world!!! Here's a pic of him, my 2 sisters and I about a year ago!!!

Granite is DONE!!!!!

2009-04-16T20:22:00.002-06:00

Here ya go! The finished product...notice the new view when you come in the front door! AMAZING!!!

It BETTER work! LOL

Kitchen transformation...

2009-04-16T11:25:00.005-06:00

The things a person has to do to "hopefully" sell a house...today it's countertops being covered in Granite! Granite Transformations is here and it's looking GORGEOUS!!!! The biggest negative comment we've had is "the kitchen needs updating"...which translates into granite and stainless steel appliances (which are NOT going to happen on our dime).

The guys put the little guy on first! Looking good!!

The old sink was cut out and the new on placed in the old counter!

Almost have the island covered...

And this is the template for the sink...after lunch they'll cut this out! AMAZING!!!

Stay tuned for the finished project later today!!!

Easter fun...Our last family Easter in KS

2009-04-13T16:45:00.005-06:00

What fun we had! On Thursday night Kevin and Dan moved the other half of the bunk beds that my brother made for the boys to Dan's new place...but first there were a few mattress rides down the stairs! BOYS!!!!!!!!!!

Then on Saturday we were enjoying the sunshine while sitting on the deck. Dan and Kev decided to do a KS Polar plunge! LOL...water temp around 50 degrees...BRRRRRRR...this is Dan diving in.

Kev had perfect form on his cannon ball! LOL

DANG we're cold!!! Gotta warm up!

Then we had Easter dinner on Saturday so DH and his parents could drive home on Easter Sunday...back to MN from KS.

We played cards after stuffing ourselves! LOTS of fun!!!

Kev shared a Miller Lite with grandpa!

While Steve and I went to mass Easter morning with his parents, the kids, all living on their own snuck into our house and cooked breakfast...eggs, sausage, and hash browns! YUMMY and an AWESOME surprise!!! Thanks kids!

Finally, on Saturday DH, Kev and myself went to Men's Wearhouse for a buy one get one free suit sale. Steve said he could use another suit and Kev has a job interview for a college assistant coaching job on Wed and he said he needed a suit as well. Alterations were needed so we picked up Kev's suit this afternoon. He wore it back to college so it wouldn't get all wrinkled. He needed me to take a pic for GQ! LOL...isn't he handsome????

Now reality of this big old house and myself is here! The silence is deafening!

Condo Pics...

2009-04-09T19:39:00.003-06:00

Here are pics of our condo...our tiny 30 square foot deck! LOL

This is the corner of our unit...after the installation of the wall it'll be my sewing room. It will have an AMAZING view of downtown Mpls!!!

a long view of the living area and where my sewing room will be.

Our kitchen...can you see it? LOL

We will remove this window, add french doors, and make this a sitting room. WOOHOO

Well...that is a small snapshot of our future...what do you think???

YIKES...

2009-04-04T21:17:00.003-06:00

Bought a condo today in Minneapolis...the developer accepted our initial offer...I was STUNNED...look for pics later this week since DH's puter doesn't wanna read my memory card..we also had a showing today and wonder if it's a God thing? Say a prayer!!!

OK...moving day

2009-04-02T20:52:00.005-06:00

It was cold and rainy but we did it! Thanks to Brian and Brenton...it was a lot easier with them!!!

Rain and cold...they still got the job done!!!

Firemen are another family and culture...I am comforted knowing that Dan is going to be taken care of!

The new place! WOOHOO!!

I really did help! I am putting light bulbs in the lamp! YES........

I love my kids, wanted an empty nest...but did NOT bargain for an empty nest minus the hubby! *SIGH*

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-01T18:54:00.001-06:00

My Fireman Dan is now a PROUD HOMEOWNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's amazing how one can move the earth when threatening to pull the loan to another lender. WOW...it never came through underwriting but the loan closed, the builder got his money, and Dan got his keys!!! We moved some stuff today and tomorrow 2 of Dan's fellow firefighters will be here at 9am to help move the furniture!!!

Stay tuned for pics tomorrow!!!

FRUSTRATED...

2009-03-31T16:48:00.003-06:00

If there are 2 things I DETEST it's LYING and MESSING WITH MY KIDS. My motto as a mom has always been, "Mess with me but do not mess with my kids". The bank is messing with my youngest. Dan was supposed to close on his new home yesterday and move in tomorrow. The loan most likely got left on someone's desk before getting sent to underwriting. The loan is still in underwriting.

Dan's realtor (our realtor as well) called and said the phones at the bank were out and she couldn't get ahold of the VP (gal who helped with dan's loan). I said well i had checks to cash (it's our bank we are dealing with) and I could stop in the mortgage area and ask if closing would happen tomorrow. I did that and had the VP tell me several lies that I personally was in the meetings and things she said were told to Dan were not. I called her out on every lie and she wasn't happy with me. I left with her business card and gave our realtor the VP's cell.

Our realtor called VP and was told I was a bit aggressive...passionate would be a better description...but guess what? She spoke with her boss and Dan is closing tomorrow at 10 (unless they pull some shenanigans) whether his loan has come thru underwriting or not. WOW...i guess cages should've been rattled sooner!

I told VP that we had another loan officer who could close this loan in 48-72 hours and Dan would probably pull the loan. I guess the BOSS didn't want to lose the business! If they yank Dan around tomorrow he is walking out the door and telling them to have his file ready for the other loan officer to pick up.

I HAVE A HEADACHE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT THE HECK????

2009-03-28T18:11:00.004-06:00

Our average high for the month of March is 56. Here is what is happening today...pics were taken about 5 mins ago...around 7:05pm...GIVE ME A BREAK!!! This was supposed to be a huge weekend of open houses in our 'hood but it was shut down early today due to freezing rain/sleet. *sigh* will we EVER sell this house?????

this doesn't look like 56 degree to me! And because of the cold/snow, we can't get the pool clear and we opened it up early just for the open house bonanza. So much for THAT tactic.

TOO MUCH SNOW..................

ENOUGH already!!!

Sunday in Mpls last weekend...

2009-03-27T13:51:00.003-06:00

Before I go into Sunday's fun...I forgot to post this pic of 2 idiots fishing on a hunk of ice. If you enlarge the pic you can see the crack that looks close to breaking them away from safety. S*T*U*P*I*D humans!

We wanted to go to breakfast at Hell's Kitchen (not related to the tv show) but the wait was an hour and we were STARVING...next time we'll make a reservation!!! We ended up eating at "The Local". It's OK for brunch but nothing to write home about.

We had 30 mins to kill before heading to the Metrodome for the NCAA Basketball play off games between KU and Dayton, and Mich. St vs USC. It was the first time we've seen a college bball game other than Division III games. WOW those guys are HUGE!!! It was a lot of fun and we'd do it again!!! Here we are waiting for the game to start!!!

This, I think, is the pic of the opening tip-off. Without a zoom it's hard to get good pics...but it proves we were there! LOL

SO...that about sums up our weekend. LOTS of together time that we thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated after losing Mark. It really brought home how important being together is for us.

I LOVE YOU STEVE!!!

Beauty in being together in Mpls!!!

2009-03-26T10:48:00.004-06:00

In my previous post I mentioned the amazing weather/walk my dh and I took on Saturday. WOW...what a day!!!!! Here is a small peek at our day last Saturday!!!

After stopping at Target to get a disposable camera (left the digital at home in KS...OOPS), we headed toward the Mighty Missippi. I just had to have my pic taken next to the Mary Tyler Moore statue. If you ever watched the MTM show you know the beginning was filmed in Mpls and she throws her hat at the end of the opening. A bronze statue was put up in her honor!

Here I am in front of St. Anthony Falls...GORGEOUS!!!!!

We stopped for lunch at Town Hall Brewery. They have great food and AWESOME beer! We had a couple fo beers and headed off to finish our walk!!!

We crossed over the river and I took this pic of downtown Mpls. It was standing there very majestically!!!

We walked and walked and walked and finally were headed back to the apartment. A few blocks down on Hennepin Avenue I saw the striped awnings of Rock Bottom Brewery! MORE BEER!!!
Ahhhhhhhhhhh...a perfect day!!! Later...pics of Sunday!

Have a good!

A GREAT DAY!!!

2009-03-22T07:45:00.005-06:00

Yesterday was a GORGEOUS day in Minneapolis. I have no clue what the high temp was but I'd guess it got in the low 60's, there was no wind and a bright blue sky! GORGEOUS!!!

Steve and I had an AMAZING day. We left the apartment at 12th St. and Marquette around 11am and walked straight to the Mississippi river. Took a right and ended up at Town Hall Brewery which is on the other side of Interstate 35. Had lunch and a couple of beers before heading back down the river and walked to St. Anthony, Nicollet Island, Boom Island, and finally crossed the river on the Plymouth bridge. Finally we headed back into downtown and towards the apartment when Rock Bottom Brewery's awning called my name and in we went. Had too many beers and watched the NCAA basketball games. The bartenders there are so AWESOME...the 4:00 shift came on and that's why we had 2 more beers after closing out the earlier tab...Steve was talking books/music with one of the bartenders! LOL...We figured it was about an 8-10 mile walk.

Today we'll walk to the Metrdome to as well to watch 2 NCAA Regional Bball games. KU plays at 1:30 so we're gonna root for the hometown boys!!! GO KU!!! (Pictures will follow in the next few days...I didn't bring the digital when I left home and had to buy a disposable...stay tuned!!!)

Rough Day

2009-03-17T15:51:00.002-06:00

I got a call from my DH today while working at Old Chicago. I was busy so didn't answer the actual call but the server who did said my husband was on the phone. I knew it wasn't good news cuz DH NEVER calls OC for me.

DH said someone had died. I couldn't catch the name cuz DH's voice cracked. I had to ask DH who died and he said it was Mark Lindblad. He was dh's business coach for the past 10+ years.

Mark was so amazing because he never told DH what to do. He always could put things into question form so DH could figure it out on his own. He was a gentle giant who came to some of my kids' USA Cup soccer games in order to meet with dad. DH even shared a recent email (that I sent to him) with Mark. DH said Mark had tears in his eyes after reading it and said this is what life is all about.

Mark died yesterday unexpectedly of a heart attack. DH was choked up about it while talking to me on the phone. Our hearts are heavy. Mark was only 55 and he was an amazing human being.

I had just asked DH this morning if he had contacted Mark about meeting up again. DH was going to email him later today, but instead got a phone call from Mark's daughter telling him about her dad's death.

Life shouldn't be taken for granted and we should live each moment to its fullest. It makes me want to move ASAP to Mpls and be with DH.

Here's the link to the obit
http://www.legacy.com/StarTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=125207733

Please keep the family in your prayers. Life has been full of sadness lately...
Thanks!

More from vacation...

2009-03-14T13:46:00.003-06:00

One day we went on a hike in the Tahquitz Canyon. It was a 2 mile hike with a 3500 foot change in altitude. It was a gorgeous day!!!

The waterfall was the prize at the top of the hike!

Isn't it gorgeous???

Margarita anyone???

One of several sunsets!!!

The End!!!

Vacation in pictures...it was wonderful!

2009-03-13T19:19:00.005-06:00

Dh and I got home last week from a vacation in Palm Desert. It was wonderful to be together. Over then next few days i will share pics from our trip!
the view from our resort room...notice the snow on the mountains

DH got into his sudoku right away! LOL

Beverage anyone? ;o)

gotta love the palm trees, blue sky, and wispy clouds...God's beauty at its finest!!!

Out for dinner! AH, gotta love time with the one you love!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAN!!!

2009-03-04T00:01:00.001-06:00

My baby, Fireman Dan, is no longer a teenager! YIKES...where has the time gone? Here he is back when being a fireman was a dream.

And now, that dream is reality (even though this pic is from vacation!). Dan is now a full-time fireman and enjoying life!

Happy Birthday Dan!!! Love ya Buddy!

Time for a little R&R

2009-02-27T07:03:00.003-06:00

It's ALMOST here...V*A*C*A*T*I*O*N!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DH and I are headed west to Palm Desert, CA tomorrow morning! Living apart since 9/08 we are excited to spend a week alone in the warmth. No responsibilities!!! Just focusing on relaxing and having a great time together!!!

My Son's new townhome!!!

2009-02-20T18:06:00.004-06:00

My 19yo son, he'll be 20 by the time he moves in, just bought himself a brand spankin' new townhome!!!! It is in the city where he is a firefighter! He is SO proud and happy, as are we, his parents!!! Here Dan is in the front of the unit!

This is the kitchen...as you can see, the unit needs to be finished. He will be able to pick out the granite and his washer/dryer. The rest of it is already done, but it's nice and neutral!

This is the corner of the kitchen looking into the family room. That is a fireplace on the right and the patio door outside, with stairs up.

It's a 3 bedroom. This is the master bedroom with vaulted ceilings.

Here is Dan standing outside the back. The side yard is his so it's nice to have an end unit. He also already knows a neighbor in a single family development to the side of his unit. The guy is a fellow fireman!!!

Congrats Dan! You have done well to save and be able to afford to OWN and not throw money away on rent!!! Dad and I are SOOOOOOOOO very proud of you!!!

Tote Bag...

2009-02-15T13:30:00.005-06:00

Well, here is the project of the day for me! WHEW...it took longer than I thought it would but I am so very pleased with the outcome!!! It is another Lazy Girl Design and as always, super directions!!! The directions called for steam-a-seam and my Joann's didn't have it on the bolt so I had to go with Pellon 72F and it was very firm. I am not sure what steam-a-seam is like but the Pellon 72F makes for a pretty stiff tote.

You'll notice (when you enlarge the pics) that I used red and yellow thread to topstitch. When finishing the edges of the bag, there is a ton of zigzagging and it used up my whole spool of red thread. I was NOT going to Joann's on a Sunday for another spool of red thread so I saw a design opportunity and switched to yellow! LOL...works for me!

This side of the tote is a shorter pocket than the above.

And here is the inside of the tote...pockets and bottom of the bag as well.

In 2 weeks DH and I are going on vacation to CA and I wanted a new pool tote for our books, ipods, cell phones and any other stuff that we drag to the pool with us. I think this suits my needs just fine!!!

Now for a shower (yep, still in my jammies) and reading the newspaper! I hope everyone had a super Valentine's Day.

FUN FUN FUN...

2009-02-12T18:06:00.007-06:00

I was able to sit down and sew for a few hours today! WOOHOO!!! It sure felt good! I'm waiting for my husband to arrive home for a 4 day weekend. Time goes faster when one is busy! Here's what I made! Do you like????

This one is for a friend of mine. Hopefully she'll love it!!!

Here's a view of the interior.

I was on such a roll that I decided I NEEDED one too! LOL...isn't it too cute for words???!!!!

I just love the coordinating stripe in the interior! This will probably be my new workout bag!

The patterns are from Lazy Girl Designs and it's called Whimsy. I just love Joan's patterns...they are so simple and well written. Thanks Joan! I'm sure there are more bags to come...cuz I bought more patterns! LOL

Have a great night!!!

MIA...

2009-02-11T21:07:00.001-06:00

I have been MIA for awhile. Not a lot is going on. I went to Mpls to see my hubby (surprised him) and had a great time. Ate too much but being together was AMAZING!!! He is coming home tomorrow night and I can HARDLY wait! We are going to house hunt with our youngest on Friday afternoon and then have a quiet Valentine's Day dinner at home! WOOHOO!!!

Hopefully I will have something "sewy" to show!

Super Bowl Sunday...

2009-02-01T10:00:00.003-06:00

Well, this will be a different year for me...I will spend today watching the SB by myself!! Usually a couple of kids are here, maybe a friend or 2 of theirs, and my husband. I have made TONS of very bad food (but YUMMY food of course) on SBS but not this year. All kids are gone and DH is living in Mpls. SO, I am going to work on a project or 2 (after I finish watching the Australian Open Men's Final) in my sewing room and eat special food that I got from weight watchers. I will feel like I am indulging but I won't be!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure that the commercials (although there are likely to be fewer than in the past due to the economy) will be less funny by myself, but oh well...such is life!!!

Can you believe it's already February as well????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where the heck has the time gone? I hope February goes better than January, but with the week upcoming, it looks to be stressful as well!!!

Enjoy your day and look for pics of my project!!!! I AM EXCITED about it!!!

Crazy Monday...

2009-01-26T18:55:00.002-06:00

WOW...what a day this was. I was busy from the get go starting out by seeing this pathetic excuse of a plant in my husband's office!

My husband is in Mpls working now so I forget this darn thing is in there...translate that to mean it doesn't get watered!!! LOL...so I watered it at 8:15 this morning. I went to my fitness class, came home and the plant still looked the same. Showered and ran some errands and when I got home around 2pm it looked like "MAYBE" it was gonna perk up so I watered it one more time. And here it is, recovering, at 6:30pm! This thing just will NOT die! What a plant!!!

During the afternoon I made a tote bag for a friend. She came over yesterday and picked out fabrics for the Lazy Girl Designs pattern that I already owned. I like how it turned out. Lazy Girl does such precise and easy to follow directions. This particular pattern is called "Whimsy". Thanks Joan!!! I have ordered 3 more patterns and the acrylic bottoms as well!!!

GIRL'S NIGHT!!!

2009-01-24T18:21:00.003-06:00

what fun! we did a jewelry exchange...

a little fondue for dinner...

don't forget the CHOCOLATE fondue for dessert!!!

OOPS...the chocolate dribbled on the chin!!!

After the food we watched a movie and then it was time to go home!!!
And this is why I want to stay here in KS...GREAT GIRLFRIENDS who are irreplacable!!!

Sad day...

2009-01-23T23:49:00.002-06:00

A fellow quilter that I met at Alex Anderson's quilt retreat a few years ago has died. Marlene was a beautiful human being and I had another opportunity to visit with her 2 years ago when i was in California. Marlene had a heart of gold. She was a very quiet lady who was very sensitive. She had a zest for life and a passion for quilting. I know she made pincushions for retreaters at Alex's retreat. She will be missed...

RIP MARLENE.....

Girlfriend day...

2009-01-23T11:15:00.001-06:00

Tonight will be spent with my 2 best girlfriends!! We're celebrating Denise's bday by fonduing at my house and watching a movie or two. It's D's choice!!! Look for pics tomorrow!!!

"YES WE CAN"

2009-01-20T18:30:00.005-06:00

YES WE CAN...I woke up this morning to this gorgeous sunrise in Minneapolis. What a beautiful way to wake up and ask God for change for the USA...YES WE CAN!!!

Unfortunately, I forgot that the official swearing in occurs at noon EST...which is 11am CST. YIKES...I would be on the road driving back to KS from MN. I just KNEW I had to stop somewhere along the way and watch it live. SO...I was in Clear Lake, IA at a Bennigan's watching the swearing in! BOY am I glad I stopped. I had chills throughout the whole process.

I was impressed with the passion that Barack spoke with. He sure made me proud to be an American and an American who voted in November!!!

I must say that I was not sad to see the Bush's leave DC. It's been a long overdue stay. I don't want to bash GWB, but he was not a very competent leader of the great USA! Thanks, but adios!

And, welcome to the new and good luck! America NEEDS change! So today i say, "YES WE CAN"!!!!!

Shopping!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-18T08:19:00.003-06:00

I am still in MN. It has warmed up and this is a GOOOOOOOOOOOD thing! LOL...on Friday I spent the day with my sister. My all time favorite quilt store here in MN is going out of business. The owner is retiring and Friday was the day everything went on sale at 50% off!!! Who could say NO to that!!! The second row from the top and the pink and 2 yellow batiks and the black stripe and coordinating floral, AND the bright multi-color floral and "pickup stix" coordinate are from that store!! OH...and the wide backing (black with bright swirls on it) is also from there! WOOHOO!!!!! My sister and I were shocked to see that about half of her fabrics were still there!!! (Mary, did you get over there on Saturday...if so, did you find anything?!!!)

The rest of the fabrics are from 2 other stores we visited. Who can go to just ONE quilt store? LOL

Yesterday Steve and I went to watch our nephews play basketball. That was a lot of fun. Afterward, we stopped at a condo place by the Mall of America. We went back to the apartment and I finished a binding. Then back for more bball and a visit with the BIL's fam at their house! All in all it was a great day.

Today might bring a movie and some condo open houses and football. Nothing too stressful!

Met a fellow blogger

2009-01-15T19:37:00.002-06:00

I had the chance to meet Mary today. She braved the frigid temps in my previous post and walked 15 blocks to hook up at Starbucks. What a trooper and she's a southern gal at heart! Me on the other hand...I'm a native who's lived away for the past 7 years and have become a woos. I couldn't even fathom THINKING about being outside much less walking 15 blocks!!!

Thanks Mary! It was a nice afternoon chatting with you. We'll have to do it again sometime.
Laurie

FRIGID COLD!!!

2009-01-15T08:05:00.004-06:00

Here is what -24 DEGREES looks like in Minneapolis! Thank God for skyways!!! I'll use the skyway today to meet Mary at Starbucks! It's also GREAT weather to have a quilt on my lap and do the hand stitching on the binding! I might even check out Macy's end of the season clearance! Did I say end of the SEASON??? It better warm up quickly then!!!!!

Busy weekend...busy week ahead

2009-01-12T20:12:00.002-06:00

WOW...what a busy weekend I had. I quilted 3 quilts and put the binding on 4. I will take these with me to MN so that I have something to do at DH's apartment during the day. With the frigid temps predicted in Mpls...the quilt on my lap, doing the binding...it'll work! Sorry for the bumps but I laid them on the couch to take pics.

This quilt top was made in 2007 and just needed the binding done...DUH...this was an easy one! LOL

This quilt was made for me by a dear friend...we say we are Twins Separated at Birth (TSB's). While in CA visiting her we chose a focus fabric (the border on this one) and then made a quilt for each other. This is Laurie's quilt for me...yep, i do her quilting so guess who quilted this one??? LOL...MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My other quilt is the one from this previous post...busy busy busy...that will be me!!! Have a great week and weekend everyone!!

Well, the streak has ended...

2009-01-11T20:54:00.003-06:00

I ended my streak of NOT eating out tonight. But HEY...how could I turn down a movie/dinner date with my son????!!!!!!!!!! And, he PAID for it!!! We went to see the movie "BOLT" with John Travolta as the voice of BOLT. It was an AWESOME movie. Both of us loved it!

It was my choice for dinner and I chose Old Chicago because I knew what I could have that would be fine for being on WW. I chose a individual, thin crust chicken/broccoli/garlic pizza and only ate 2 pieces. I had a house salad before that. I still had a LOT of WW points left so I just counted the meal as the 17 pts. that I had left. I feel like I did pretty well!!! Back on track tomorrow!!

here's my date for the night:

Busy Day...#6 and counting

2009-01-10T18:22:00.004-06:00

WHEW...it was a very productive day!!! I never left the house and that was AWESOME!!! I was going to cut a new quilt out but thought to myself that was not a very wise decision. I have several tops that need to be quilted and bound first! Since I am spending a week in Mpls with my hubby next week I thought I should quilt a few (if I have the time), get the bindings sewn on, and then take them with me to do the hand sewing in his apt. That way I won't be bored to tears while he's at work!!!

I got one quilt done and I'm not sure that I'm very happy with it. I might do some beading on it but that scares me because the center flower is printed on Printed Treasures. Holes in that will be permanent! YIKES!!! But we'll see.

I also got this loaded and started a couple of rows done on it. I am using the Circle Lord baptist fan template on it.

I finished day #6 of eating dinner at home!!! I think that's a new world record for me! LOL I had shrimp cocktail, green beans, and french bread with an olive oil/parmesan cheese topping on it. YUMMY!!!

Now it's time for some R&R...

Tomorrow it's back to the longarm! WOOHOO!!! Have a great night!

Today is day 5...

2009-01-09T16:40:00.002-06:00

When the clock strikes midnight tonight I will have NOT eaten out for 5 days straight!!!!! I'm amazed how easy it's been and how much BETTER I feel!!! I am in control of how my food is prepared and what is going in my mouth. I also haven't had a beer or glass of wine either. I'm sleeping better and have more energy. It's SOOOO worth it!!!

There has been a lot of stress in our lives around here the past 6-8 months or so and I gradually got out of control with my eating habits. My portion sizes eventually got larger, fried foods started showing up in my meals, fruits and veggies were fairly nonexistent, and my exercise regimen slowed down. Over the holidays I grasped that I was out of control and needed to regain it. I have done that!!!

If you are struggling with stress try to take a 15 min walk every day. It will clear your head, raise your metabolism, and lower the stress. If you want to lose a few pounds...consider cutting sugar (if that's a downfall for you), the alcohol, the fried foods, or just adjust your portion size. Every little bit will help. I guarantee you that you will feel MUCH better and it will get easier every meal, day, week, month!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Made it back to WW...

2009-01-06T17:15:00.007-06:00

Yesterday was a GREAT day! I ate well and worked out (working out isn't usually an issue for me). Here was my lunch...turkey is wrapped in that tortilla and it was a very filling lunch for onmly FIVE points!!!! It was DELISH!!!

So, today I bit the bullet and went back to my Weight Watcher's meeting this morning! I figured waiting a week so that I was lighter wasn't going to motivate me. Going to my meeting WOULD!!! It was ugly, but a pound less than "the ugly" I was anticipating! LOL...I gained 5.8 pounds in the past month. *sigh* I need to lose 15 lbs in order to get back to Lifetime status at WW.

The good news is that yesterday I spent about 2 hours planning meals and putting together a grocery list. The menu goes thru Sunday night and I'm sure there will be leftovers for Monday. Tuesday I'll head to MN (weather permitting) with a new attitude!!!

As I was writing this post and feeling good about day #2 (i have eaten well again), I looked out the window and look at the warm feeling that God sent me!!!

PS(Laurie, Barb, and Rose...thanks for your kind words on my last post!!! It's great to have the encouragement!)

Angry at myself...

2009-01-05T15:28:00.002-06:00

I am not a person who makes new year's resolutions because they NEVER work out like I think it should. SO...that being said, this is NOT a NY resolution. It is a goal that I WILL accomplish because it never should've happened.

You might remember this post last January. I had reached my goal and was so happy and felt so healthy and comfortable in my own skin. I have always gained/lost/gained/lost etc etc etc. Things were sailing along wonderfully until early September or so. That's when DH decided to take a job back in MN (I was somewhat excited to be going back home but very sad to leave kids/friends here), our college son was hospitalized for a skin infection, there was a lot of travel for soccer games, and DH moved out...just a little bit of stress and when I'm stressed and lonely I turn to FOOD!!! I have an addiction to food/beer/wine when I am stressed and/or lonely. You probably have guessed it...I have gained some weight back. 16 of the 30 pounds I had lost to be exact. I am ANGRY at myself for this.

SO...today was my day to pull the reins in and gain control again. DH is back in Minneapolis and we won't see each other for about 9 days or so. I need to be in control before heading north and I WILL be in control! So far today has been wonderful! I've exercised and eaten well. I decided I needed to plan for the next 10 days so I went to my cookbook cupboard and thought I had 3-4 low cal/low fat cookbooks.

WHOOPS......look what I found!!! Not one, not 2, not 3 or 4 or 5...but TEN healthy cookbooks. LAURIE should NEVER have slipped into this weight trap but she did. It certainly wasn't due to a lack of healthy cookbooks!

I'm on my way again...thankfully I am getting a grip on this issue BEFORE it turns into 30, 40, or 50 pounds or more.

Have you BTDT? Do you want to join me to gain control of your eating and healthy? Hop on board!!! Together we can do it!!!

PS...I found ONE more cookbook that didn't make the photoshoot! SHEESH!!!

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-01T08:59:00.005-06:00

December 31, 2008 is now a memory. Here is a photo journal of some of DH's and my last day of the year!!!

Last year our son volunteered at the Fire Station and this year he had to work (he was hired on full time the day before Thanksgiving) at Station 3.

We made this year our 2nd year of taking the firefighters dinner from Jack Stack BBQ! The firefighters LOVE it too!!! They don't have to cook and they are getting AMAZING BBQ!!!

We were on our way to pick up the to-go order (about 3:15ish) when Dan called and said they were finishing up a call and wouldn't be able to meet us at the station at 4:00 as planned. I asked if there was a way to get in and Steve and I were given the code to the front door. We had to giggle when we got there. Ya know how in the movies when the station alarm goes off and they firefighters drop everything to go. WELL...it's true!!! The TV was on...the microwave was beeping with food in it, and this bowl of UNTOUCHED soup was stone cold on the kitchen table!!! Driving home I told Steve that I though the soup was our son's. (it was...I asked Dan when he got home this morning...he said it never tasted a bite of it!!!)

Once Steve and I got home I spread a quilt on the floor, sliced some cheese, opened 2 beers and broke out the SCRABBLE game (which was dusty since it probably hadn't been played in over 7 years!!!). I got the idea from Mary who has Scrabble Tournaments with her DH. Thanks Mary...it'd been YEARS since Steve and I had played Scrabble!!!

We watched a little football...KU played MN so we really couldn't lose! LOL...

And here ya go...Mary, you're gonna LOVE this story...I am leading Steve by 75 pts and he puts "RA_OR" in the upper right corner (enlarge photo, I had played Zany earlier in the game) and scores a 57. About 2 rounds later he says, "I can't win" and I told him he was only behind by 8. He laid down the "G" in "WIG" (upper left) and scored 11 pts and beat me by THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRR...I thought I had the game in the bag. The second game was NO contest...he literally kicked my butt! I'd like to say it was fun but I really HATE to lose! LOL

I decided then that it was time to put the game away and eat! So we broke out the fondu!! YUMMY!!!

Once the main course was over we broke out the chocolate fondue for dessert! YUM YUM YUM!!!!!!

After that we watched some of our old Bob Newhart DVDs and I was in bed by 11pm. I was exhausted since I didn't sleep after waking up at 4:30am.

My wish for all of my family and friends is simple:
I wish you good health, happiness, and a year of peace and tranquility!!!

A Night on the Plaza

2008-12-30T07:58:00.003-06:00

DH and I took our son to the airport and then decided to enjoy the 55 degree day here in KC. It was still the middle of the afternoon and the lights wouldn't be on yet at the Plaza so we headed down to Westport and had a beer at McCoy's brewery. YUMMY!!!

We watched some soccer on the TV there and then headed to the Plaza. It wasn't completely dark yet but the lights were on. We were shocked at how many people were there for a Monday. I guess the warmth paid off!!! Here are some of the sights...

Christmas fun!!!

2008-12-27T17:11:00.004-06:00

It was a different Christmas...my first in 48 years without my siblings and dad. Sad yes, but I was not as despondant as I thought I would be. We had a lot of fun...just the 6 of us here in KS...probably our last in this house! SO...new memories were made!!! And they were great!!!

Joe and Kevin volunteered to make dinner for Christmas Eve. It was AMAZING!!! They did an awesome job and the food was devoured!!! Thanks Joe and Kevin!!!

There was a lot of serious game playing going on as well!!! OH we are all so competitive so it gets interesting!!!

And then there are the traditional pics by the tree!!! Gotta love 'em!!!

The kids and DD's dog!!! Another great memory made! We are blessed!

I hope your family had amazing memories made during this Christmas season!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

2008-12-25T08:30:00.000-06:00

May your day be blessed with love, laughter, and hope!!!

A little quilty something happened today!!!

2008-12-23T13:28:00.003-06:00

I wanted to stay home ALLLLL day in my jammies!!! And that is EXACTLY what I am doing! I decided to make a postcard for Christmas bridging our lives in MN to our lives in KS. It's ok...nothing super-duper (KS is a boring shape!!!). I put a white bead where we live(d) in each state and just strung a string of Christmas lights around it...I'm OK with it.

It started out raining this morning. Dan (our fireman) came home from his 24 hour shift around 8:20 or so this morning. Within 20 mins his pager went off and his depts. 4 stations had responded to 4 accidents within about 5 miles of each other on one single stretch of road. Dan was glad he was off duty! The rain has turned to ice and while Dan was out getting his haircut and a few groceries for me. He called while at the grocery store and ALL firefighters were called back to the station because they were overwhelmed with calls. Pray for their safety and all people on the roads today. It's supposed to warm up and turn to rain so hopefully he won't be gone too long.

Now to go upstairs to the sitting room, turn the fireplace on and read a book! AWWW...life is good!!!

Christmas in MN

2008-12-21T20:58:00.003-06:00

We celebrated Christmas with DH's family this past weekend. It was fun and we had a great time. We missed Dan though cuz he had to be a firefighter! Here is our fam pic without him!

MIL wanted to sing Christmas Carols...the boys hate to sing Christmas songs so they played the accompaniment on their beer bottles! LOL...it was AWESOME!!!

Here is DD opening a gift that contained $40 but you had to play pinball in order to open the "tray" that contained the money!!!

The 2 boys and the DD drove home today in HORRIBLE conditions throughout southern MN and Iowa. The roads were dry but the blowing snow was AWFUL at times. We made it safely and Dan opened his gifts from my in-laws.

All in all it was a good time!!!

SN*OW

2008-12-20T10:29:00.003-06:00

Well...3 of the kids and myself drove to Rochester last night...arrived at 1:30am!!! The weather forecast for today's planned drive was for a LOT of *S*N*O*W* from the MO/IA border all the way to Rochester. We chose to do the late night drive instead and I am sooooo glad we did! It is gorgeous here but conditions are to deteriorate rapidly throughout the day. Tomorrow is supposed to bring blizzard warnings until we hit the Iowa border...I will NOT be looking forward to that! UGH...but for now...it's time to enjoy family and Christmas early!!!

This isn't our snow now...but our dd's dog in her first snowfall last year!!!

Have a great day everyone!!!

Christmas...I might have a hint of the spirit!

2008-12-10T18:54:00.002-06:00

Here is Dan putting the tree in the stand! Isn't he a doll?

Dan and I ALWAYS put the lights on the tree together. We've done it since we moved to KS 7 years ago! I'll miss this tradition with Dan!!!

Here we are...lights and all! No ornaments cuz I can't/won't dig them out of the storage room (it's full of storage stuff from decluttering in this impending move. SO...my other DS, Kev, said he'll make popcorn strings and a paper star for the top...a Real Charlie Brown Tree he called it! We'll see about that!!!

And, last but not least, the last wallhanging for the JCFD station #3. Dan will deliver it tomorrow!!! I really liked how this one turned out!

Have a great week!

The quilts were a hit!!!

2008-12-09T18:27:00.003-06:00

The banquet went well on Sunday night. Jessica seems pleased with her gift!!! She's such a cutie and works so hard for the men's soccer team!!

Here is my dh in the background watching Coach Born read the label. People who call quilts "blankets" *SHUDDER* don't realize there's a label! LOL...I had to point it out to him.

Her is my son Kevin, helping Coach Born hold up the gift. THE QUILT!!!! Coach was so very impressed and said that gift cards are great but that this "blanket" is the most special gift he'd ever been given! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!