Quilt for DH's Assistant

Well, I finally got it finished!!! This quilt was a product of Karen Combs' online class at Quilt University. It was called "Combing through your scraps" and I like the outcome! I sure hope that DH's executive assistant does too! I will give it to here tomorrow!

There were SOOOOOOOOOOO many pattern opportunities. I gave dh 4 options and he chose this one! Good job I think! ;o) (ignore DS's shoes there!) Here's a closeup of the quilting...just meandering feathers...fast and fun!!!!
And finally...the label. The first line is how my chat goes with Jo every time I call looking for Steve...I sure will miss her cuz she can always tell me where he is! LOL...I sure hope his new E.A. is as good!!!

On to the next project...
Hugs
Laurie

Is it possible...

to be happy and sad about something at the same time??? My DH is changing jobs a week from Monday. He is SUPER excited about this new endeavor but sad to be leaving his coworkers that he now works with. He has been with this company, in MN and here in KC, for 17 years!!! That is a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time and when DH told the CEO in KC that he was leaving, the KC CEO called the CEO in NYC to see what job they could offer DH in order to keep him. The company doesn't want to lose an employee of DH's caliber...but DH knows this opportunity is a once in a lifetime opportunity! NOTHING they could offer him would keep him.

SO...we got back from Orlando yesterday and DH had planned on going into his office for a bit today to start cleaning out his files/office. When he got home from his office, it was obvious that he was a bit cranky. I finally asked him if he was cranky and he said a little. I gave him a hug and said, "It was hard to clean out your files today wasn't it?". He agreed. I told him it's ok to be sad and that this week was going to be difficult. Next week will probably be difficult to a degree since it's all NEW and will be slow due to learning the new company's business!

I never thought I'd say this, but I really wanted DH to get this job. We are now talking about downsizing and moving closer to downtown KC so that DH doesn't have to commute 20+ miles one way/day. In bad weather or if an accident happens, it can take him over an hour to get home or to work. He has been doing this for 20+ years and it's time he get to relax a bit and not spend so much time in a car. I actually like living here FINALLY and this will probably be DH's last job before he retires. The odds of going back to MN seem to be slim to none. I'm OK with that too!!! I really am!!!

OK...that was my ramblings for the day!
Hugs
Laurie

Home...

and EXHAUSTED! Orlando was fun but I can hardly wait to sleep in my own bed! More later.....
Laurie

ORLANDO.....

HERE WE COME!!!!! Another getaway! WOOHOO!!!
Laurie

He's safe...but in trouble...COSTLY trouble

WHEN OH WHEN do they figure out LIFE and GROW UP??????? I got a phone call today around noon asking where I was and when I'd be home. I said soon, why? The oldest said, we need to talk. I said about what? He said, I totalled the car last night and got a ticket for a DUI. The good news is he is OK. There wasn't anyone else involved which is good as well. He was driving home around 3AM and swerved on a 2 lane road to avoid hitting 2 deer. Instead he hit a guardrail and it tore the passenger side to shreds. UNFORTUNATELY, instead of calling ME, he called 911. He knew for insurance purposes he needed an accident report. Had he called me, we could've avoided the whole DUI thing. He told me he wasn't worried about the fact that he had been been drinking cuz he thought he was fine to drive. I know from past experience that he calls for a designated driver if he needs to. But this wasn't his night. He blew under the legal limit but because he was in an accident he was ticked with the DUI. They cuffed him, put him in the back of the police car, took him to the PD and fingerprinted him,, took a mug shot, and he called a friend to pick him up. He wants to fight this because if he's convicted he will lose his job at the liquor store...his ONLY job right now. He also does not feel that he was incapable of driving. SO...he's looking at a fee of $750 if he and the lawyer decide to go the route of diversion. If he goes to court to fight it the lawyer fee doubles. He also has to buy a new car, get insurance, etc etc etc.

The autobody shop said without taking the car apart, they would estimate the damage at $7,-$8k...basically the car will be totalled. Now we wait for insurance to get in touch with us...our deductible is HIGH which stinks...but it keeps our premiums lower.

As I said, he's OK and cars can be fixed. I did tell him to let this be a WAKE UP call! Here are a couple of pics of the car...I HAVE A HEADACHE...

Time Marches on

Today is my youngest's 18th Birthday!! It is hard to believe it's been that long since I last gave birth! He was born in MN...during a blizzard! It was AWESOME! And he is AWESOME as well!

I have always wondered why moms cry when their children go off to preschool, kindergarden, become a teenager, turn sweet 16, and any other milestones that happen in their childrens' lives. I have always CHEERED for those days. They've always been HAPPY days in my life because it is the goal every parent works for: progress in the lives of their kids!

Without these milestones, our kids would never grow up, leave home, work in a job that they hopefully love, and give me beautiful grandchildren!

So today I REJOICE and ENJOY that my youngest is now officially an adult. I have no more "power" or "control" over him. I have to have his permission to find out things that yesterday were mine for "free"!!! LOL...oh well...as I said, Time Marches On!

Dan has known for years that he wants to be a fireman and he is getting closer every day. About 8 months from now he is hoping to have a job as a full-time firefighter. His chosen profession scares the crud outta me, but I have always told my kids to chase the dream that they love and go for it. Dan is doing that! SO...when it comes to fruition, I will pray harder for his safety while he risks his life in order to keep other people safe!

Fireman Dan, I love you buddy!!! Enjoy your "Guitar Hero" game that you received today!!!

Here is Dan today, playing guitar hero!

MY GOODNESS...he got his dad to try it as well!!!

WILL MIRACLES EVER CEASE??? Mom tries it too!!!

Sunday's FUN!

I had to play with fabric and wanted something FAST! I just LOVE this pattern, "Just Can't Cut It" by www.allwashedupquilts.com . It goes together VERY quickly and is made for large prints that you just cannot cut into little pieces. I think from start to finish, including pressing fabrics, cutting it out, and stitching it, it took me about 6 hours. Now that is FAST!!! Have a great night and enjoy the Oscars if you are watching!

Hugs

Laurie

Acapulco ROCKED!!

We had a SUPER time in Acapulco. The weather was fantastic...85 and sunny every single day! Clouds were a rarity! It was just a very relaxing time! Here are a few pics from our trip. DH and I outside of Hard Rock Cafe.
This is DH and I on Valentine's Day. Our server, David took the pic. We had an AWESOME dinner for 2 that night...some excellent Mexican wine as well!
This was a rock, naturally made, that was on an island that we saw on a Lagoon tour. Look closely, it looks like an ape's head!
This is a picture of one of the MANY gorgeous sunsets we saw. This was our last night there and we walked the beach.
And lastly, me with one of the clif divers...don't I look HAPPY??? DH needs to learn how to keep his fingers out of the important pictures!!!
DH loved Mexico and agreed that we can go again! WOOHOO!!! I can hardly wait to start planning that trip!!!

Hugs
Laurie

ACAPULCO HERE WE COME!!!

I can hardly wait...tomorrow DH and I leave to MN. We'll do a little shopping at Mall of America and have dinner at our favorite restaurant, Twin City Grill. Then on Saturday morning, very early, we'll fly to Acapulco for a week!!! This trip is our Christmas gift to each other!!! WOOHOO!!!


Hugs
Laurie

Today is a better day!

Thank goodness the sun rises and a new day dawns! Yesterday was just one of those days that one would rather sleep through. I was angry at the DH, the oldest 2 kids need to REFOCUS and figure out how to get their lives on track, little stuff built up...but all is well! (except for those oldest 2...but moms always worry!!!)

Thanks for the well wishes! I needed to vent and decided to blog!

Have a great day!
Hugs
Laurie

Life...

Sometimes life sucks. Answers that you want aren't there. People you want to respond and treat you with respect don't. The ones you love don't act like they love you back. People who you thought were your friends aren't. Sometimes we don't even live up to our own expectations. I guess it's just LIFE...it is what it is...but sometimes it SUCKS. I think I'll get some sleep...

A new handbag for me!!!

Here is what I got done today. I had some money left on a gift card from Joann's and wanted to make a handbag out of this Amy Butler fabric. The pattern is b y Lazy Girl Designs. I need to purchase a button for the flap as decoration. But I liked how it turned out.

LazyGirl Designs are so easy to follow and they are very neat!!!

This is the front...the flap needs a brown button!
Here is the back...not too much different than the front...just a little less flap showing!
Here is the inside...the lining matches the fabric for the flap.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Hugs,
Laurie

Just not a lot going on...

I haven't posted in awhile. There's not much going on. I haven't been in a quilty mood since I finished the house quilt top. I'd like to get it quilted and bound and hung up...but the mood isn't there!

I've been watching my food intake the past week and have lost almost 5LBS...so that is GREAT news. I want to lose at least 6 more before Acapulco in February. I CAN DO IT!!!

The kids and dh are fine. I'm waiting to hear if my oldest got a management job at Boston Market. He REALLY REALLY needs this job. The place he managed before closed before Christmas. He has bills to pay. Honestly, I don't think he's been hitting the pavement that hard looking for a new job though. He's not the most self-motivated person in the world.

DH is interviewing for a job here in KC that he REALLY REALLY wants. I hope he gets it. He's such a talented and smart man. He's always looking for challenges in his job. This one would definitely provide that for him.

That's about it I guess. Just wanted to check in!

Have a great weekend everyone.
Hugs
Laurie

Winter weather...

Well, it's definitely WINTER-like here. Sleet stuff though...not the pretty stuff S*N*O*W. DH called and he rear ended a pickup truck. The truck came to a sudden stop and dh was on ice. There was nothing he could do. The truck is fine but DH's car is wrinkled in the hood area. I'm not sure what the car looks like since traffic is moving at 15 MPH on the hiway so DH will be awhile getting home. It looks like a night for movies and snuggling. If this weather is affecting your town...be smart and stay home!

Hugs

Laurie

PS...this winter scene would bring a HUGE smile to my face!

Blogger issues?

Is it just me...or is blogger being difficult? I have tried to upload pics for 3 days and no luck. I hope it's not just me.
Hugs
Laurie

Final phase of the 'hood is complete!!

WHEW...I finally got the top completed! All I have to do is put the backing together and get it loaded onto the longarm! Probably get to that this weekend!



The sashing strip is a deep purple, almost a black purple, with a brighter, bluish purple along with it. It's a Nancy Crow fabric. I think it finished it off quite nicely!!!

Hugs

Laurie

Urban Sprawl! LOL

This section of the 'hood gave me headaches! UGH...I have been working on these for about 6 hours or so but I continued on and conquered the headaches! LOL...only one more set to go and then I can assemble it! I'm really liking this! It's a happy quilt! Now to relax!

New Year's Eve...a close call

For years now, we have fondued for New Year's Eve. We usually do a cheese fondue for an appetizer, then our pnut oil fondue for the main course, followed up by chocolate fondue for dessert. The main fondue is done with electric fondue pots. The other 2 are done with sterno under the bowl. WELL...while getting ready to eat I put the sterno where it belonged under the chocolate in the bowl. It was sitting on the cupboard in the picture below. I decided to put the sterno out and rather than use the "snuffer" that came with it I picked up the flaming sterno container and it fell to the floor. Sterno gel splattered up the cupboard door and we had the potential for a bad fire. Luckily, we got it put out but not before we had some damage. (sigh) I had tears in my eyes and my son said, "Mom, this was an accident and it's not going to ruin our night!". He was right...we had a great time, stayed up to late, played games, and laughed a lot! Ya just gotta love family time!

Here are pic that my son took to capture the moment after all had settled down!
Happy New Year's everyone! I hope you do something quilty!
Hugs
Laurie

Another neighborhood complete!!

I got another set of houses done. I did misspeak in the previous post though. I thought I had 30 houses to do...YIKES...but I only have 10 more to go! WOOHOO!!! I think I am going to call this quilt "Funky Town"!!! Whaddya think? ;o)
Hugs
Laurie
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
PS(unfortunately, one color is showing as red but it is really a hot fuschia pink!!)

The trees are done!!

It sure is great to get something quilty done! I finished the trees for my polka dot house quilt! Only 30 houses to go! YIKES!!!

Now to cut out another grouping of houses! Have a very Happy New Year! Stay safe!
Hugs
Laurie