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

I MADE LIFETIME AT WW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was THRILLED because with all the stress in the house I gained 8LBS but I was persistent and made it there today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now to keep it off...FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Steve is taking me to a VERY NICE dinner tonight to celebrate my Lifetime membership.

Life is GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's DONE!!!

WHEW...this quilt was a big one! LOL...but it is GORGEOUS and I hope my longarm quilting enhanced it. Sure hope the maker and her grandma like it!!!!! I haven't quilted a quilt this densely in a long time! It sure was fun to do though!

This is the center, log-cabin medallion. I incorporated the ferns, hearts, and the leaves from the body of the quilt into the center. not sure why it looks like purples (at least on my monitor, but they are browns) CLICK THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE...

Here is the full length of the quilt...hard to get it all in!

the brown border represents wind, the yellow is leaves, and the body has the leafy/ferny type quilting.

part of the back...I used a green thread and Superior So Fine...

A closeup of the back...

the medallion back

Tomorrow I'll get it shipped to PA!!!!!!!!!!

Someone was busy last night! LOL

I went on a long walk to clear my head and when I walked up the sidewalk to the front door I saw the most amazing spider web. I think I captured it pretty well. I would guess it's about 15" long. No spider in there though. Back to the quilt on the longarm.

Fun project...

My friend Barb's DGD made a special quilt for a raffle. I am fortunate to have a hand in the process...I get to QUILT it!!!!!!!!!!!! Life has been pretty stressful here lately, (see previous post) and I haven't wanted to touch this beauty with an emotional heart. SO, I loaded it a few days ago and left it at that. Today I FINALLY felt I could place my love into this special project. Here's a sneak peak!!!

Here the quilt is on the machine. Just WAITING for some inspiration from moi!!!

Here is a sneak peak at my inspiration!

ENJOY!!!!

TESTING...this is GOD TESTING...

*sigh* God keeps throwing hand grenades our way...it's been a stressful 10 days and I sure hope God sees fit to stop testing us. We'll be fine but our emotions are on overload these days.

Wedding Fun!!!

This past weekend my niece got married and we had a great time! Time with family is THE BEST!!! Here are a few pics! Congrats Katie and Eric!!!

Introducing Katie and Eric Stinson!!!

Katie dancing with her little cousin Jacob!

The happy couple!!!

QUILTY FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK...so the heat index is around 110 degrees today...that is a combination of the temp and the humidity...so basically, it's STIFLING!!!!!!!!!! We are due for a cool spell this week so that is great! BUT...I felt a need for something chilly and Christmassy (is that a word???). SO, I went shopping online and find this FUN Christmas fabric! Who knows what it'll become, but I'm sure it'll be FUN! The fabric across the bottom is for the backing!

This top was finished 2 weekends ago. I just felt the need to put SOMETHING...ANYTHING together that was quilt related! SO, here it is!!! I am not quilting as much as I'd like, but at least it's something! ;o)

If you are in the midst of this heat wave in the Midwest, stay cool!!!

OH WHAT FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And no, it's not about Christmas! But it might as well be! My son called last night and asked what I was doing today...i said nothing and he said he and his girlfriend were on the way to ourhouse! OMG...does life get any better? I just LOVE LOVE LOVE suprises! And this was a super one!!!!!

We had a TON of fun in the pool...here are Kev and Dan getting the nets put together for the water polo game I bought at Target.

Sarah and her friend Molly's boyfriend ready for some water polo action...

Kev and Ashley waiting for some action...

Kev and Dan doing the brother thing!!!

And Kev and his AWESOME girlfriend Ashley! She is totally amazing and I just LOVE her!!!

Life is good!!!!! Cherish the moments...

This, That, and other stuff

It's been awhile since I've blogged. Life has gotten very stressful and out of control here. There could be major life changes in the near future and I am unsettled about that. I have asked God to take care of it as He sees fit. *sigh*

Here is a small pictorial of what I have been up to. This first picture is of the damage my DD's dog did to me on Tuesday. I was taking her on a walk and she saw a dog (not uncommon) and I tightened up the leash cuz she always wants to play. The problem, that I figured out later, was that it looked like my DD's ex-boyfriend's ex dog and she wanted to REALLY play!!! She knocked me over trying to cross the road. I banged up my knee pretty well as you can see. Sleeping last night was interesting cuz I like to sleep on my side but both sides of the knee were tender.

The next pictures are of my girlfriend Carla's bday celebration at Kaufman Stadium. We went on Ladie's Night and got our free hats with the bling! Aren't we cute? LOL

This is a picture of us figuring out what to eat cuz Carla wanted to be NAUGHTY and eat there! This was a short conversation! LOL

We chose NASTY HIGH FAT, HIGH CARB FOOD...DEFINITELY NOT DIET FRIENDLY!!!!!

Our tummies told us that they were NOT happy! RUMBLE RUMBLE GURGLE GURGLE! Sorry tummy...blame Carla!!!!! lol

Lastly, here is youngest, Dan with Autumn keeping her calm during a thunderstorm. She is such a pansy when it thunders. She literally SHUDDERS and one morning Dan found Autumn in his SHOWER when he woke...He asked me if it stormed overnight and I said just a little! SILLY DOG!!!

So there ya have it...

Death is never convenient...

My SIL's mom passed away last Friday and I am headed to MN for the wake and funeral. Unfortunately, I will be missing the Tom Petty concert with DH tonight. DD gets to go instead but I'll be where I need to be. *sigh*

FULL HOUSE...

I have a full house this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I am LOVIN' IT!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry McD's) Kevin came home for the weekend from Chicago. His sister asked him to come home for her bday (last monday). It is great having all of the kids in the house together!!! Here is a pic of Kev in a shirt we bought him in Hawaii! Too cool huh???!!!!!!!! LOL

On a sad note, my dsil's mom passed away and her dad was hospitalized the same night with an infection. I will be headed north to MN for the funeral when it is all planned. It will be great to see nieces/nephews but not under these circumstances! Please keep this family in your prayers.

Thanks

Laurie

30 YEARS BABY! LOL

It was my 30th High School Reunion this past weekend and I really had a great time! Here is the dealio in the elevator!

Here is a picture of all the girls from our class that were there. I thought DH took a group pic with the guys but it's no where to be seen! LOL Never send a man to do a woman's job! ;o)

This is my ex-boyfriend and myself. We agreed that it was a good thing we didn't marry and reproduce! I was happy that I shocked him with how I look today! WHEW! ;O)

Saturday morning I went to the cemetary to visit with mom. Then I drove by my dad's building that was once "Standard Auto Parts" and is now a sexy lingerie store and tattoo place. WEIRD!

It was a super fun weekend and I am so glad I went. I look forward to the next one!

Happy Birthday Sarah!!!

Today is my dd's 23rd birthday!!! We are celebrating her day with steaks on the grill, cheesy hashbrown potatoes, and a wonder South African Cabernet wine! OH...and some grilled peppers. Then a few gifts and relaxing.

I also dropped her dog off to get nails clipped, ears cleaned, and a bath. Autumn was NOT happy with me and I felt badly. I hope she forgives me after it's all done!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GULP!!! Can it really be 30 years???

It's been 30 years since I graduated from HS! I will go back to Rochester, MN and enjoy my 30th class reunion! I'm a little nervous but at least I know I'll look GREAT!! I'm excited to see my only other boyfriend besides my dh! LOL...I haven't seen him in 20 years and at that reunion he was having marital problems...I asked him if he still loved his wife and he said yes. I said then the marriage is worth saving! They are still married! LOL...

Wish me luck! ;oD

Life...

Life is getting interesting here and it could become complicated. Why, when one becomes happy with life, does God want to throw a curve ball in? I just don't get it!!! I need to ask God for strength, wisdom, and guidance for what He has in store for me (possibly). *sigh*

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH...

I JUST WANNA QUILT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Randy Travis...I'm in heaven baby! LOL

I just LOVE the name of this place! LOL...only in Lake Ozark, MO would you find a place called "The Horny Toad" but that's where we saw Randy Travis!!!

Here is a picture of DH and I waiting for the concert to begin!

I took a pic of Randy's set list...after the concert I got a volunteer to talk to a band member who agreed to let me have it! It is now taped to my kitchen cupboard. I am waiting for my autographed CD (his new on being released on July 15th) to arrive and then I am getting it framed!

Sing it Randy!!!

DH got a GREAT pic of me and Randy after he was done singing. I got to shake his hand TWICE! MAN this man is gorgeous! He truly is handsome!

This was the BEST 4th of July EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's right...EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taste of Chicago

We had a super time! The weather was AWESOME...even if we got a few sprinkles on us a couple of times! There was a TON of people, porta potties, food vendors, street entertainers, and best of all, time with the dh and ds!

Fried catfish anyone? NOT ME! EWWWWWWWWWWW!!!

Fried ravioli anyone???? NOT ME...but it sure looked GREAT!!!

OH LOOK...I was there too!!! I love this pic!!!

The Budweiser Clydesdale horses...holy cow they are HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve and Kev waiting for Stevie Wonder to be introduced!!!

In the next photo, do you see the girl sitting on the ground in the burgundy dress and her group? They were very RUDE and OBNOXIOUS. OH, and LOUD...They talked about everything and nothing and they did it very LOUDLY. It was so annoying adn disruptive to the people around them who were there to listen to Stevie. I finally asked them THREE times to stop being rude and loud. The burgundy girl got the hint the first time but the rest took turns being LOUD so that I had to continue to ask them to stop. People around me were so thankful and were glad I had the guts to ask them to be quiet. While they were loud Stevie was singing songs that I had never heard before. This group wanted all of his old stuff. They kept yelling "Sing Superstition". WELL...the best part was that when they left...about 30 mins later he sang a conglomeration of all his oldies but goodies! WOOHOO...the obnoxious group MISSED IT! I guess there is justice!!!

Here was Stevie...I could barely see him on the stage...thank goodness for the jumbotron!

We even had a visit from the Rev. Jesse Jackson!!! WOW!!!

And finally, a photo of the building that kept staring at me throughout the concert! I just LOVE this picture!!!

Stevie Wonder was a free concert. We hoped he would play for about 90 mins or so. He played NON STOP for 2 hours and 45 minutes!!! I think he would've stayed all night if the sun hadn't been setting!!! It was AMAZING and so worth the trip!!!

OUTTA HERE...

gosh the weekends are packed...we are headed to chicago tomorrow. it's taste of chicago and our son wanted us to come and hear stevie wonder. so off we go tomorrow! woohoo!!! and it's FREE (the concert) and we'll taste a lot of great food!!! YUMMY!!!

have a great weekend!

Vacation Part 2

We went to a concert on Saturday night. It was Eric Burdon and The Animals. It was at a casino and Steve enjoyed it much more than I did! It got very warm in there and I wanted to go play the slot machines! LOL It was OK.

We went to a wine tasting at the JW Marriott Hotel. We did this last year and LOVED it.

Paul, the guy who is the expert, does such a great job! We will do this again!

On our anniversary we went to a wine tasting at Tulip Hills Winery. It was fun!

I just LOVE their logo!!!

We went to dinner that night at Copley's. It's a great restaurant that used to be Carey Grant's Estate! WAY COOL and WAY good food!!!

This a pic of my halibut with the 2 huge prawns on top! YUMMY!

After dinner at Copley's we went to listen to Ron James. We just LOVE this guy! He's a bit eccentric but his music is raw but good! It was great!!!

On our return trip home we had a layover at the Dallas Fort Worth airport. Here is Dh with a Guinness mustache! LOL

Reality hits hard on Monday's! LOL