Scrapes

I have a sign in my sewing room that says "When life gives you scrapes, make a quilt".

Me - I had some scrapes left from my Bronco quilt so I made this for Logan for his birthday.

I was concerned about giving a teddy bear to a 10 year old, but he put my fears to rest when he gave me a hug and told me "It's awesome."

I also told him that since it was his birthday he could eat the leftover cake for breakfast. As a Grandma you can do that sort of thing.

Nope he wanted my special pancakes and ended up eating 4 and taking the cake home. Big Smile!

59 1/2 and 10

Way back when I went from 2 part time jobs to a full time job my boss sat me down and went over the benefits of the job. The company had a 401 that they would match my contribution up to 6%. He explained to me - listen you are going to make more money and right now you are doing without it what will it hurt to put at least 6 % into this 401. You still would be making more money than you are now.
I was taught at a very young age to be a saver. Thank You, Mom and Dad.

 I was in my early thirties and I thought if I could do without 6% I could do without 10, so I put 10% of my salary into my 401. I wasn't making a lot of money, but for 21 years I put 10% of my salary into that 401 thinking that when 59 1/2 came along I would be rich. Of course 59 1/2 seemed way off into the future.
Life does have a way of seeking up on you. I turned 59 1/2 yesterday. No I am not rich, far from it the stock market saw to that, but I like that little nest egg and I thank that sweet boss who had only my best interest at heart..
I did feel like I was older these last few days though.
My grandson Logan will be turning 10 April 3 and he wanted us to make over his bedroom. Stacy was in favor of it also.
We stripped a wallpaper border and patched many many holes in the wall

Logan was right there willing to help, so we gave him the screw driver to take off the outlet plates.

After cutting in the ceiling, walls and the floor it was Logan's job to fill in the orange. The job got really boring for him though and he decided to spend his spring break playing with his friends. It was more that OK with us. It was our present to him any way.

Who needs to spend all the money on fat heads when you have a Grandma who can paint a mural. Logan's friend thought I was awesome.

Hanging the pictures and putting the finishing touches on. Logan supervises Papa.

I think he likes it. Notice the blank white wall.  Stacy broke down and pulled out Logan's supply of Cubs souvenirs.

Finished product. 2 blue walls - 1 orange wall with Bronco gear and 1 white wall with Cubs stuff.

When we finished and I was soaking in our hot tub with a cold beer I couldn't help but smile - this old 59 1/2 year lady can still make over a room.

It's a Date!

My grandson loves to read.
Dylan read his first Harry Potter book in 3rd grade and has always been in advanced reading in school.
At Christmas we were talking  (he will actually carry on a adult conversation - no more answering your questions with grunts) and we both realize that we both read and loved the Hunger Games series.

I told him that they were making the first book into a movie and that I would love to see it. He asked if he could go too and we made a date for spring break.

I was very surprised that he would want to go with his Grandma to a teen movie, so I called him and told him that if he had changed his mind and wanted to go with his friends I would be OK with that.
Nope he was going with me and looking forward to it.

This afternoon we headed out to our first movie together - The Hunger Games on the ultra screen.
I thought for sure that it would be very crowded. I even bought our tickets yesterday.

Well we got there in plenty of time and it was not crowded at all.
We both LOVED the movie and made a date to go see the next one in the series when that one comes out. Looking forward to it...

We stopped for an ice cream cone at DQ before heading home to catch Mike just finishing up mowing the lawn. This warm weather sure had been good for the green, green grass, not to mention my Forsythia bush!

Mike lets Dylan start and drive the mower back into the shed.

Shower

My youngest niece is getting married.
Leslie lives in SC now where she migrated when she got a scholarship to Clemson. Her fiance David is graduating from Clemson this May and they are settling down in Charlotte, where David got a good job offer.

Sister Mary (and no she is not a nun, That is just what I call her to distinguish her from my daughter-in-law, Mary) and her husband Dave also make their home in SC.

This weekend they all came up for a wedding shower. Little Dave got to meet some of Leslie's Illinois family and we all got to meet him. Just what this family needs another tall dude!

I am so glad that "sister Mary" got the OK from her doctor to travel. She had open heart surgery just 3 weeks ago and I was so happy to see her. I wanted to give her a big squeeze,but she wouldn't let me. She is still hurting from the surgery so I will wait till we go down to SC for the wedding in May.

Linda blindfolded Leslie and had her dress in her honeymoon attire. Provided by Linda of course.

Even blindfolded and wearing gloves she got everything in it's place including the lipstick.

Her shower gifts are in my basement waiting for a ride to SC. Too bad she has a list of what's there - The towels would so match our bathroom.

Thank God!

I do not have to commute into the city everyday. Heading into the city at 6:30 am fighting the idiots that are rushing to work and the sun in your eyes makes for a tense ride. Thank God I gave myself enough time to hang out in the right hand lane and go with the flow. The sunrise was beautiful though.

I do not have allergies. The experts say that with this warm weather pollen is at an all time high. They suggest keeping the windows closed GASP!!! and turing on the air conditioning! Are You kidding me right now? Thank God I can open the windows and enjoy the warm air.

That the spring flowers are starting to bloom and my beds are all clear of leftover leaves.

 I have a "Handy" husband. The doors are on order and soon I will have brand spanking new storm doors on all 3 of the outside entry ways. Woot Woot!

That we have the means to pay for incredible health insurance. I cannot imagine where we would be right now without it.

That it is light till 7:00!

And for this little guy.

Practice, Practice, Practice

If you want to be good at anything, clearly you have to practice.
You also must enjoy what you are doing.
I love everything about quilting.
I love to shop for just the right colors for a quilt.
I love to choose the right pattern.
I love see it all come together cutting and sewing.
And I love sewing the binding on, because I look at it as the frame of the quilt and I get to do it by hand.

I still struggle with getting the batting and back and putting it all together.

I have had this quilt frame for 10 years now.
I have tried numerous times to get it right, only to rip out everything I have done and put the damn thing back in the box. I don't want to ruin what I see as a pretty and some times beautiful quilt top.

BUT having quilt tops sitting around not being used (I now have 4) clearly is a waste of fabric, so I bite the bullet and set the frame up one more time determined to get it right. I stole a corner of Mike's basement and while he was away I practiced and practiced on a spring table topper.

It was not too easy, but it was fun, and I think it's good enough not to rip out. YAY!!!!
I will sew the binding on tonight and put it on my dining room table, cause you know Spring is just around the corner.

All's Quiet

I dropped Mike off at the train station last night right in the heart of the 45 minute snow storm.

It came down fast and really, really wet.
I was counting on a very quiet evening all to myself watching the bulls and the blackhawks win.
Turns out.
It got to be very quiet - the cable was out.
I had a book and a brand new puzzle so I wasn't too worried. Then I remembered that maybe Mike had the DVR set for some shows. Yup he was taping several.

Now what to do?
I called Sharen, Nope, hers was working.
I push the reset button - nothing. I unplug the receiver - nothing.
Being the dutiful and loving wife that I am I called Direct TV.  I talked with David.
Him -"Sorry mam, There must be something blocking your dish."
I go outside and announce to him, "Nope, nothing in the way that I can see."
Him -"Sorry mam, I suggest you wait 24 hours and then call us back and we can set up a service call."

Me - "That doesn't help me tonight when the Bulls and the Blackhawks are both playing and why can't you set up the appointment now?."
Him - "Oh, are you in Chicago I am a huge Bulls fan?"
Me - "Ummm, Ok, Is that going to help me set up an appointment tonight?"
Him - "No Sorry - we have to wait 24 hours."
Me - "OK, I'll call back tomorrow. Go Bulls"
I wasn't too disappointed.
I got my quite evening!

The cable came back on at 1:30 this afternoon.