Baby Quilts

I have a reason to get back into quilting! We have 2 babies joining our family.
Sharen and I head down to Joannes.
Now do I want to do the same old pattern? Big fat NO. I want to experiment.
The first stop was the quilt books. I looked online, but I thought I should look here too. Sharen found a cute book with just baby quilts.
Next stop fabrics. I was just concentrating on baby boy Zierk for now.
Questions that needed answers: Good thing I had Sharen there with me, she had an idea what Carrie would like - we changed our fabric four times.
Do I go with blue for a boy?
Do I get "baby" material or something to grow with (cars, sports, etc)?
Do I try and match the baby's room blue & chocolate or wing it?
Do I want to go flannel or cotton?
Do I get more material and make it bigger or crib size?
I want it to be a surprise so I'm not going to answer these questions in case the mother or father is reading this, but I think we did good.
2 hours later we leave. I have my material and am looking forward to sewing another keepsake!

Holy Smokes

Mike and I went over to the Moose in Elgin for a ceremony for Byron, Kory's Dad. He was getting the highest degree for a Moose, a Pilgrim. We left there about 9:00 pm and was headed home when both the Police and Fire made us pull over on Hopps.
"Lets follow them."
"What for?"
"To see if Dad's working" Okay, my Dad has been gone for a long time, but when we were kids we always used to ride our bikes as far as we could whenever we heard the sirens to see if we could see Dad.
We head down our street and see all the flashing light in front of our house. Holy Smokes - My heart stops for just a second and then I realize that they are just turning around. They had the wrong street.
The house behind us is on fire. I call Sharen right away and let her know what is going on and grab the camera.


I ran around and snapped a bunch of pictures. Here are last night and this morning pictures.
The house has been empty since we moved here 4 years ago, so no harm done. It was pretty exciting to watch the men and boys that Sharen works with in action.

Birthday Celebration

Sharen and I got to spend our birthday with our sons at the White Sox game.


Jon got the tickets from a member of the country club along with Stadium Club passes. He called to ask us if we wanted to have dinner there.
NO - We wanted to live the High Life and smell some hot dogs in the parking lot. We didn't grill but Sharen and I made sure we had enough food and all our sons favorites.





Bryan had never been in the stadium club so we made a pit stop there on the way to our seats. The boys made sure that we had everything we needed - Bryan even bought me the draft beers, because he knew how much I prefer them, or he had to keep getting up to go to the bathroom. Listening to Bryan and Jon discussing bodily functions on the way home was hysterical.
Sharen and I decide that our sons make great dates and we laughed and had a great time.

Sharen's Birthday

Who brought in the treats? I did.
What's the occasion? Sharen's Birthday!
Ahhh, Doesn't that make it your birthday too? Yes.
What's it like being a twin?
I don't know what it's like being a twin, but I know what it feels like to have a twin.

it's someone -
-who the kindergarten teacher has to sit you together because she won't let go of your hand
-to share a bedroom, bathtub, makeup, mumps, measles, secrets, and plans
-who jumps into the mud after you fall in, when Mom says to "stay clean" and takes the spanking with you
-to always have with to climb trees, ice skate, sled, swim and play dolls and cards
-to check with to see what she is wearing so you can wear the same thing (took us to 7th grade to realize we could have double the wardrobe)
-who will help you eat your peas so you can go out and play
-who you just have to get away from and 1 hour later going to see what she's up to
-who "will if you will"
-who talks you into and out of 1 more beer
-who cries when you're hurting, smiles when you're happy, and laughs when you're funny
-who you can call anytime to vent and don't mind listening to her vent
-who shops with you and doesn't get a thing, but makes sure you have all you need
-when the phone rings you know it's her without answering
-who loves your husband because he loves you
I'm sure everyone has someone different in their lives that fit for some of these. I was lucky enough to have all this and more with one person, My TWIN, Sharen.
Happy Birthday Shar-Shar,,,,

Hickory Nuts

When my favorite neighbors were leaving on vacation they told me to go and pick their tomatoes. When I went over there I noticed that they have a Hickory Nut tree. One day I saw him out there vacuuming up the nuts in his shop vac and asked him if I could have them.
I love Hickory Nut bread -don't know why - Maybe it's the flavor of the nut or maybe it's from Bryan's great-grandmother Mazie who gave me the recipe.
Grandma Mazie and I would sit for hours picking out the flesh from these little bitty nuts while Bryan played, and she would tell me stories from her childhood.

I would complain about how hard it was and she would smile and tell me most good things are worth working hard for. She was always busy and lived just a few short days of 100 years. She was always cooking up something - from candy and cookies at Christmas to green tomato relish in the summer. I just loved to hang out in her kitchen.

So I have been cracking and picking nuts for a few days now. When I get home from work, Ray, the neighbor leaves me containers full of more nuts at the front door. I can't wait to get enough to start baking.
I'll of course take one over to him and Lu and maybe freeze one for Thanksgiving.

Riding Bikes

Growing up one thing that Sharen and I loved to do was ride our tandem bike. When we got older it just made more sense to have our own bike. Here is a picture of us on one of our birthdays (We can't decide which one - maybe 20).
We both set out from our different houses and end up at the same place (Mom & Dads). That used to happen alot (Ok still does).

I have been riding my bike lately since I got my new seat size "big ass" and Sharen always talks about getting Carrie's bike out of the shed and joining me.
Don't have to worry about Carrie's old Bike - Dup went out and got Sharen a brand new Schwinn for an early birthday present. A complete surprise.... and a darn good one. Did you ever get a present that you didn't expect and you don't even care how much it cost? Well this is one of those.
We took a ride on Sunday and Mike joined us - for about 12 minutes and then he takes off down the path to St. Charles and Sharen and I just tool around the pond. TWICE!!!
We are a little slower and maybe a little more unsteady, but it's not going to stop us.
Sharen commented how much fun it is to ride a bike again and I have to agree with her. Yipeeee!

Hair Brain Idea

Someone walks into the station and gives Sharen 4 tickets to the Cubs game this afternoon, for the firefighters who helped with the flooding in the village last weekend. After she exhausted all the Cubs fans down there no one can go - she calls Mike. He calls me and Guess what?
I'm working - another, my usual day off, Friday stuck here at work. I think I would of gone with him, but I don't get the chance to decide for myself. He is taking his brother Keith. I hope they make it through the whole game.

So here I sit at my desk with nothing to do, so I decide to cut my own hair. I started picking up my hair at random and start cutting. Nothing too short and I don't even think it's noticeable. Yeah Right!
Karen, stop right now and call Stephaine and get an appointment to fix it!
What was I thinking? I think there is a name for what I did - and NO stupid isn't it, but pretty close!
I'm sure the cleaning crew is not going to like the mess of hair I left around my desk. ;o)

Breaking up is hard to do

Dear Janome,
I'm truly sorry that I have to break up with you. We have had a good affair - 10 years. You have been there for me and we have worked through some trying times and we have made some beautiful things together.
After your second trip to the hospital I knew it was time to look for someone younger. I know that sounds harsh, but know that I really, really loved you the time we had together, but I have fallen in love with your brother.


That must be hard to hear, but he is quieter, faster, and computer generated. I promise that I will bring you out and spend some time with you occasionally. So until then please enjoy your retirement!
Love always, Karen

Water, Water, Everywhere

Everyone has a "flooding " story.
Mine is not so bad all we got was a lake in the backyard and a river running through it.


I wish I could bottle some of this and send it to my sister in South Carolina - They've been having a draught. Sorry Mary!

Volunteers Needed

I don't care about college football. I never was into it - Maybe because Mike graduated from Roosevelt (no football team) and Bryan graduated from Depaul (no football team) and I never went to college. I LOVE the Bears though.
So to get into the spirit of football for the Sunday night Bears game we went over to watch Jack play on Saturday.

Big Announcements
- "WE NEED 2 VOLUNTEERS TO WORK THE CHAIN GANG"
- "THIS GAME WILL NOT START UNTIL WE GET 2 VOLUNTEERS"
-" I KNOW THERE ARE SOME DADS OUT THERE WHO CAN VOLUNTEER AND GET THIS GAME STARTED"

No, but there was a Papa and a Great Uncle who stepped up to the task.

I got the Call

After spending most of Saturday trying to tackle the acorns in the backyard with Mike raking them into piles (I raked until I got the blister on my thumb) I would put them into my handy dandy cart shown here and dump them into the fire pit. Steve would be appalled at my manicure - you cannot pickup acorns with gloves on! After 18 carts full and a pile waist high in the pit all I could think about was the hot tub.
Actually I had my swim suit on when I got the call. Craig wanted to know if I wanted to go to the the Sox game with him, Jack and Jack's "not my girlfriend" pal Hailey Sat. night. He must of been listening at the draft last weekend when I asked him why he called everybody else except me when he had extra tickets. Don't have to ask me twice.

I had a GREAT time. It was the first time I watched a game in the cell from the outfield. It was the longest game I have ever been to (15 innings & over 4 hours) and it was the first time I got to experience a walk off to win the game. THOME!!! We walked over to "Grandstand" (my first time there too - I know hard to believe) after the game.

On the way home we went through a road check and the kids got to see 2 people get arrested. Only bad thing about the evening was the traffic home sucked - a roll over accident in the center lane.

Here are my dates for the night after the win!

It's Raining!!!

No not Men - Cats - or even Dogs.
Even though Gustav dumped some much needed wet stuff on us, in our neighborhood it's acorns that are falling from the sky. The talk of our subdivision is how bad this season of acorns are.
Today is Friday and I have nothing to do but Putz. (I love my putzing days). I have a newly power washed and stained back deck, but I can't even use it. Or maybe I could but I would be taking my life into my hands or at least have to explain the tiny bruises I would get from the acorns. Just sitting in the family room and listen to the acorns hitting the roof you know that winter can't be soon far behind. The squirrels are having a good time - plenty of food.
I braved the onslaught to get you an idea of just how bad they are. Here is a picture of the result of just 2 days of droppings.

This reminds me of an extra credit question on a test in my favorite subject in High School.
What did the acorn say when he grew up? Gee-ima-tree

$186.40

When Mike asked me to fill in on his bowling team in Albuquerque I warned them that I always cash. Since I was only participating in the Team event I expected them to bowl good. They did and I got a check for $54.87. (That's the first time their team has cashed. I'm invited back next year in Las Vegas.)
Then on to Detroit.
There my team wasn't so lucky, but I was. I cashed in singles for $93.05 and all events for $38.48.

Grand Total - your guessed it! $186.40. I love bowling in different cities!!!!!!

Cottonwood Circle

Stacy & Kory have finally found their own roots.


They moved this weekend to this house in the booneys (Genoa).
It's going to be a longer commute to visit them, but they found the perfect place to raise the grandkids. They bought this house on a corner lot and there are kids in every direction. Friday afternoon as I was waiting for Mike & Stacy to get there the school bus stopped right on their corner with 18 kids got off the first bus (grade school) and 12 got off the bus for the middle school kids. Each grandkid will have their own room and all are excited to have their own space.
The best thing is, Stacy will be teaching in Hampshire - only 6 miles away.