DEJAVU...Simply Quilts is back on HGVT

I turned on my bedroom TV at 7AM and the last time I had that TV on it was on HGTV. The audio was on before the picture and I said, "OMG, that is Simply Quilts music" and sure enough...there was Alex Anderson with a repeat episode.

Simply Quilts it seems is on at 7AM CDT every day again! GO FIGURE!!!!! From what I can tell it's all old stuff. There is also video available that you can watch it at anytime. I have no clue when this came back to HGTV. I do know when it was cancelled that a TON of quilters signed a petition to see it kept on.

Here's the link:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_qlt

WHEW...what a day!!!

I woke up at 7:45 and leaped out of bed! The class I wanted to take at Lifetime Fitness was at 8:15. I was a couple of mins late but managed to burn 400+ calories! WOOHOO!!!

Next stop was Walmart...all sweaty and a baseball cap covering my wet, sweaty hair! LOL...I am picking up a few things for dinner tonight and tomorrow when my DD calls. It seems she needs help with her dog. the maintenance people wanted to be in her apt. and she needed to work a double shift today and she had to take her car in for brakes. ARGH...my DS and I go pick up her car AND dog, drop the car at Goodyear and head home.

I had a quilt loaded and got that quilted! WOOHOO!!! It felt good to be at the longarm...it's been waaaaaay too long! Then I loaded ANOTHER quilt and started to quilt it. In the mean time, the DD calls 3x about her car, a friend calls, DD texts me about her car, and several phone calls come in! Then the dog wants to go for a walk. Now, those of you who know me, KNOW that I am NOT an animal person. But my DD's dog has stolen my heart! So I really don't mind watching the dog, but it sure makes me realize that I do NOT want to OWN one! ;o) BUT I DO WANT TO QUILT!!! I wanted to get this second quilt done sooooooo badly today. I finally get cruising along on it, just doing meandering stars, and roll it for the last row of quilting when i see a spot where the thread on the back is all bunched up! ARGH...fortunately the bobbin thread was too tight so it came out quite nicely. BUT, i took that as a sign from God to stop for the day!

I decide to go upstairs and piddle around on the computer. The dog manages to lay on the couch and nap next to me. Then I remember that supper needs to be in the oven for 90 mins! It is now 4:30 and DH is usually home by 6. I hurry up, brown the pork chops/onions, make the sauce and throw them in the oven to bake! WHEW...glad I remembered that!!!

THEN...I had to mark all the sprinkler heads cuz the lawnguys are aerating/seeding the yard tomorrow after they mow and I either ahd to mark them or risk that they hit the heads with the aerator. While doing that I had to turn on all the stations and I was a bit wet. While wanting to put my jammies on, Goodyear calls and DD's car is done. (SIGH) DH and I go up to get the car and drop it off to her at work.

I am FINALLY in my pj's, the dog is laying on the couch next to me, and I am RELAXING!!! Tomorrow is a great day because I have a haircut and foil scheduled and will then finish the quilt on the machine!!!

CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!!!!! LOLOLOL

EXCITED!!!

I am leaving tomorrow morning...bright and early at 6:30 AM...to drive to Chicago. My 3rd child is there going to school and I am going to visit with him. His college team has a game at 3pm. He had ACL surgery and cannot play this year. I miss the games/kids/time with my son so this is going to be fun! After the game we'll get a bite to eat somewhere. I am also planning on going to "Student Life" with him at 8pm. It's the campus' religious service for the kids. I am PUMPED!!!!!

Here's a pic of my good lookin' boy!


I also loaded a quilt on the longarm today! That felt GOOD!!!! I hope to quilt it next week. I have to make a back for another quilt and get that done as well. I promised the gals who clean our house a quilt last year. I still haven't done it yet! They will have them by halloween!

Hugs
Laurie

Relationships

i have been fortunate to be married to one man for 25 years. Has it been easy? Hell no! It has been a lot fun but a lot of hard work as well. We have had our ups and downs. We have had our arguments. But through it all we have had several things that are constants:

1. TRUST
2. HONESTY
3. FIDELTY
4. COMMUNICATION

With the above have been lots of laughs, tears, anger, and growth. When we took our vows at our wedding we vowed to be there for each other thru good times and in bad. The good times have FAR outweighed the bad. The good times have included the birth of all of our kids and watching them grow and mature. The good times have been watching our relationship grow and mature thru the years. The bad times have included the death of my mom and my diagnosis of breast cancer.

Through all of this, my husband's and my relationship has done nothing but GROW stonger. I love my husband with all my heart and soul. I can't imagine myself living life with anyone else. We were friends first and are best friends still. Being friends is much more important than being lovers. Friends share so much more than physical intimacy.

Basically to bottom line is this: if you want to be in a LIFETIME relationship with another person, the relationship has to be built on TRUST, HONESTY, FIDELTY, and COMMUNICATION! It's hard work to be in a relationship that is happy but it is well worth it.

I hope I have conveyed this to my kids. I love you Joe, Sarah, Kevin, and Dan. Steve, I love you with all my heart and soul!

Vacation in Palm Desert, CA

My DS and I had a nice, relaxing time in CA. This pic is of an AMAZING sunset. It was gorgeous to watch this one change!!

One day we went up the tram to the San Jacinto state park. It is nice because the temp goes from 100 degrees in the desert to 70 degrees in the mountains! A welcome relief!!! We did a lot of hiking while we were up there.

This is a view of the desert, Palm Springs and Palm Desert, from the top of the mountain. It was a neat day cuz there was a huge storm cloud out there and it cast a different look on all of nature's beauty!!

Our last day in CA we drove 120 miles through Joshua Tree Ntnl Forest! WOW WOW WOW!!! What a site that is. There was GORGEOUS vegetation and rock formations! INCREDIBLE!!!!

One last pic! This was taken from the airplane as we took off. The mountains looked so majestic that I just had to snap it!


See you in 2 weeks Palm Desert! LOL...dh and I are going back!!!

Homeward Bound

California has been hot but wonderful. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Dan. He's such an easier traveller and has such a super sense of humor that it keeps me on my toes!! LOL

We're going to hang out at the pool today and relax until we have to pack and head to the airport. We arrive in KC at 11pm.

I'll post pics later tomorrow.

Hugs
Laurie

Going to...CALIFORNIA...CALIFORNIA here I come

My son and I are going to CA for a few days. DH and I had a week at our resort that we had to use and ds and I were the only ones who could go. DD was going to but she decided she needed to work and that means dd and i are alone!!! I am excited to spend time with the youngest...he's a great traveller!

Have a safe and happy labor day weekend!
hugs
laurie

I've been bad! AND...is it too much????

This is a 2 part post!
The first part is titled: I HAVE BEEN BAD!!!

WHY OH WHY do I shop online????? LOL...don't answer that...CUZ I LOVE IT and I CAN!!! That's WHY!!! OK...I have 3 favorite online places, one is www.equilter.com one is www.bighornquilts.com and the last one is www.fatquartershop.com . WELL...it was FQS that got me into trouble here! I just couldn't resist!!! Who knows what I will do with them. Aren't they C U T E???!!!

I am a sucker for pink roses, it was my mom's favorite flower. So that is why this bunch of fabrics landed in the online shopping cart!!! ;O)

This is a panel to the Sweet Baby Jane line! I just LOVED the colors...the panel can make a quick quilt if needed too!

Here are the coordinating FQS!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the colors!!!


NOW...for PART 2:
IS IT TOO MUCH????

You might remember this quilt..."Funky Town". I made this out of all polka dot fabrics. It was such a fun and happy quilt. My sisters suggested that I make it for the curved wall in our family room. This first pic is taken from the kitchen area...what one would see if they came in thru the garage.

This is just a closer shot of the quilt from the same angle!!!

This picture is taken from the view of what one would see when they come downstairs. The quilt would greet everyone in the morning! Kind of a bright greeting huh?????


So, there ya have it...is it too MUCH????? The quilt on the wall I mean...NOT my shopping addiction!!! LOL
Hugs
Laurie

Casting Crowns...

This is the NEATEST performance of "Who Am I". It was done with hands and I believe glow in the dark gloves. TOO COOL!!!

Not a good week in KS

Let's hope it's DONE here in KS. It has been a deadly 5 days around here. Within a radius of about 30 miles from us the following has happened:

1. Last Saturday afternoon a 22yo male crossed a grassy median in a 70mph zone and hit head on into a mini van. That mini van flew in the air and landed on another mini van and went up in flames. 3 people died

2. Monday afternoon, a 16yo girl was driving in a 70mph zone and hit an SUV head on. SUV burnt to a shell. SUV driver dead, girl in mini van in critical condition

3. Today a 17yo male lost control of his vehicle and hit a semi. They both went off the overpass and the semi ignited...40yo truck driver, dead, teen and his passenger, minor injuries

OH DEAR...I forgot...also Saturday night, only about 2 miles from here, 2 cars parked at a 4way stop with a friend standing in between them. The 2 were going to drag race. From behind, a SUV is really moving and the "race starter" runs from the scene, one of the drag cars fleas the scene, while the SUV rear ends the camaro that was going to drag race. Camaro kid is on a respirator and in critical condition. No one died...

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE???????? I feel like staying home...it's safer. Keep all of these people and their families in your prayers.

I LOVE MY DH!!

On Thursday, right before I was going to head out the door for the rest of the day and night, the doorbell rang. I said, hmmmm...haven't ordered any fabric that should arrive today, wonder what it could be!!! So I answer the door and one of my favorite packages arrives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take a look!!!!!




Isn't he the BEST!!!!! I even knew whey he sent them...I have started on my diet again to lose the 25 lbs that I have gained and he wanted to let me know how proud of me he is!

These minature roses are GORGEOUS!!!!! They are opening up so beautifully, all 36 of them!!!!!! I arranged them myself, not bad for a non-florist (LOL, is that even a REAL WORD????)

I'm happy today!!! I hope to buy some furniture for one of the empty bedrooms left from our DD moving out last May!!! We are going to make it into a video room with a wide flat screen tv! YES!!!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!
Hugs
Laurie

HEAT, CRAZINESS, EXHAUSTION

That title about sums up my week this week! I have just had one of those weeks that makes a gal say , "Calgon...take me away!" A couple of beers tonight with DH and a good night's sleep will help!!!

Tomorrow...maybe a little quilting!!!
Laurie

On a HAPPIER note...

Here is what I have been working my butt off doing the past 3 days!!!!! The pattern is from Terry Atkinson's new book called "Happy Hour". The pattern is "Between Friends Junior", obviously a modified rail fence pattern. I am making this for my daughter's boyfriend's bday which is TOMORROW! LOL...he LOVES superman so I found the fabric on ebay, not the BEST fabric and I had some struggles with it, but he will LOVE it just the same! The last pic is of my DD's dog (she's a yellow lab and terrier mix) with the back of the quilt. Tomorrow I will trim, make a label, and bind. We'll give it to him tomorrow. My DD doesn't know it yet, but I am putting her name on the label as part of the gift givers. She said, "Kevin will like your present better than mine!" I don't want her to be disappointed!
Hugs
Laurie

DH has a missing former co-worker in MN Tragedy..NOW IDENTIFIED AS DEAD

The Awful Wait for News

My dh worked with a gal while we lived in MN and she is missing. If you click the link above and then click on a video further down labeled "The Awful Wait for News" you will see the family of Sherry Engebrettson. My dh said she was a great gal. It is so sad.

2 of DH's former employees in MN should've been on the bridge but one left work early while the other took a different route home due to traffic. I was hoping this tragedy wouldn't touch us personally, but it seems it might.

Keep the prayers going for all of the families.
Hugs
Laurie

EDITED: Sherry was id'd as one of the 4 bodies that were recovered last night. Steve watched the video above and said her family has her nailed. An amazing, outgoing, caring, loving human being that you wanted to be around and call your friend. I am saddened about this tragedy and am sad this touched our house in such a way.

MINNESOTA NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS...

OMG...I was out with my DH when 3 of my 4 kids texted or called me about this catastrophe in Minneapolis. I lived all of my life in MN until moving here to KS about 6 yrs ago. This is a sad, catastrophic day for the state.

Please keep the families of the victims and injured in your prayers. Here is a link to the local paper. The photo gallery speaks volumes.

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1338294.html

Hugs
Laurie

What a fun weekend!

My BIL/SIL were here with their 2 boys. We had a BLAST! They are such neat kids and we spent hours in the pool! We played Candyland and Chutes and Ladders! I got my son's emergency toy vehicles out for them to play with. There are sirens and all kinds of stuff on those. The boys just LOVED it!

I also spent time playing with the funny camera on my Mac. GOSH the boys giggled so much while we did that.

We also took them to see the fire station that my son is getting his training at. While we were there a call came in so we saw the guys go out on the ambulance to help a diabetic.

It was very relaxing and fun!!! Today though...reality hits and the DIET starts! I'm easing into it though. Tomorrow I will be going full force since I couldn't get into the diet center til almost lunch time. 2/3 of a day being good is better than nothing!

Here are some pics of our weekend!
Hugs
Laurie
Here I am with one of my nephews.

This is me being silly! LOL The boys liked this one!

Here was my nephew driving his noodle! LOL

My nephews and son at the fire station.

The 2 nephews being silly with the MAC camera!

What a fun weekend!

My BIL/SIL were here with their 2 boys. We had a BLAST! They are such neat kids and we spent hours in the pool! We played Candyland and Chutes and Ladders! I got my son's emergency toy vehicles out for them to play with. There are sirens and all kinds of stuff on those. The boys just LOVED it!

I also spent time playing with the funny camera on my Mac. GOSH the boys giggled so much while we did that.

We also took them to see the fire station that my son is getting his training at. While we were there a call came in so we saw the guys go out on the ambulance to help a diabetic.

It was very relaxing and fun!!! Today though...reality hits and the DIET starts! I'm easing into it though. Tomorrow I will be going full force since I couldn't get into the diet center til almost lunch time. 2/3 of a day being good is better than nothing!

Here are some pics of our weekend!
Hugs
Laurie

Great news!!!

My dh is on a business trip to FL today. He sent me an email this afternoon and said we are going to SWITZERLAND for the sales trip that rewards top sales people for the company! OMG...I can hardly wait to talk to him! SURE WISH HE'D CALL!!!!!!!!! I don't know when it is but I think it's in October. (nope...dh called and it's in May, around our bdays and we'll be in Montreux, Switzerland.)

Then, while I was eating dinner, my oldest (the one driving me nuts) called me and said, "Guess who is the first act opening the new Sprint Center in KC?" I guessed a couple of people and he said, "MOM...someone who could actually SELL it out!" AHA...I said, "ELTON JOHN!!!!!!!!!" YEPPERS. DH and I saw him in Vegas and it was AMAZING!!!!! I hope we can go to that as well!!!

I forgot to tell ya that yesterday I did some damage at a LQS here! LOL...bought some fabric and some other stuff! I can post pics when I get home!

I leave you with a pics of a hanging hibiscus in Hawaii!


Hugs
Laurie

Chicago

I am in Chicago enjoying a LOT of time to myself! My oldest is driving me NUTS and this break is great. Plus, it got extended a day!!! I brought Kev back to his apartment and we will see a physical therapist on Friday. Then I will head back to KS. I am just planning on relaxing tomorrow...reading and watching a movie and Law and Order season 2.

It feels good to be alone. My psyche really needed this!!!
Hugs
Laurie

George Carlin's Views on Aging

George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

"How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

"How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92."

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!"
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!


HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them."

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.


AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.