Keeping Them Clean

I have had my quilts on display in the living room for awhile.
Hanging on this old laundry rack I found at an estate sale. I blogged about it.

I noticed that they were getting kinda dusty, so I decided I needed a cabinet to store them.
I wanted something old looking with a glass front so you could still see my lovely quilts.
I dragged Mike down to the Kane County Flea Market and I saw some that were way over priced and got some good ideas about what I wanted - and didn't want.

I went to Home Depot and Menards thinking about maybe a kitchen cabinet with a glass front. No they weren't deep enough.
Pinterest had some old dressers that were turned into storage and I'm thinking that's closer to what I was looking for.
When I was visiting with Bryan and Mary I walked into their bathroom in the basement and there I saw it. The old lady that lived there had left an OLD dresser. Bryan told me I could have it. Saves them from throwing it out. We hauled it home.

I didn't even have to paint it. Mike took the drawers out and took them apart and used the bottoms for the shelves.
I got some trim and some Plexiglas and Mike got to work and made me some doors. I few cents spent on some hinges and I have me a new display cabinet. Still need to find the perfect handles, but I'm sure I will.

installing the doors

 This old thing came with a glass top. What better way to display my Mom's old hankies. Yeah, every since I can remember my Mom would have a hankie in her purse. I can also remember as a kid the dreaded spit on the hankie and wipe the dirt off of our faces. No baby wipes back then.

Mom and Grandmas old hankies

I love this thing. It is exactly what I wanted. My quilts are protected, but you can still see them. I have a place to see a reminder of my Mom under the glass top.

I am not sure where I am going to put it. Right now it is in the middle of my living room, but that's ok. I love looking at it..

Extra! Extra!

I have always been a jigsaw puzzle fixer.
Starting back when we were kids and Mom would bring one along on vacations to the cabins up north just in case it rained - we would have something to keep us occupied (besides playing cards) till it stopped and we could go outside. That's also were I got my love for Pinochle. Playing with Dad.

I have always loved puzzles. Mom liked to fix them too. She fixed them all the way up till her eyesight went wrong.

Now thanks to my sister, Linda , who has an unlimited supply from a friend, I have been back to fixing them steadily. Some could say obsessively.
Each puzzle is different and it NEVER gets old. It challenges my mind and keeps me entertained. There is a feeling of accomplishment and comfort there for me.

There are some where there are pieces missing. That can get frustrating and I usually throw them out.
BUT never in all my puzzle fixing (There have been hundreds, maybe close to a thousand) have I ever seen this.

Duplicate pieces

I wish I had taken a picture of the puzzle all together - It was a fun one with gas pumps.
After it was all finished - I had an extra piece.

PowderPuff Volleyball

Genoa doesn't have a boys Volleyball team. I guess the conference doesn't have enough interest in their schools.
Where the girls play a PowderPuff football game the boys play a PowderPuff volleyball game.

Logan played on his freshman team and they lost to the Sophomores. He was trying out his sports goggles for the first time. Looking mighty fine.

 Dylan obviously played with his fellow Juniors. They had a boy who plays on club volleyball, so they had a huge advantage and beat up the Seniors. Dylan played a hell of a game though. Surprised me. He also did his fare share of trash talking. Clearly they were having a good time. I was glad we went out and supported the Athletic Dept. It was fun to watch.

So both the winning teams of  the Sophs. and Jrs. played together to beat the  Faculty.

After Logan finished his games he came up in the bleachers to say Hi and sits down in front of me.

All the kids were wearing the year of graduation on their t-shirts.
Holy Crap!
Logan will be graduating from high school exactly 50 years after me.

I love a Parade

I haven't talked with Bryan for a few weeks so I called him to see just what is up.
I think, gosh, my Mother used to do the same thing to me.
Anyway they had plans to go to their neighborhood parade on Sunday so I invited us to join them. Who doesn't like a parade where the adults are all drinking beer and throwing candy and beads.
The Flory boys are "Murphey" boys for the day. ALL Irish!

Roger

Owen

Luke

The parade is 2 blocks from their house and it starts just around the corner. We got to our spot a little early so the boys decided to gather sticks. I'm thinking they should come to our house. We have sticks!!

Notice the cool neck ties

Owen snuggles up to Daddy and roger and Luke fill Mary's lap.

Owens hands were getting warm down Daddy's shirt

Then it started and the candy was flying. Mary had stricked  orders for the kids to let the candy come to them and not to go out into the street to retrieve it. So a older boy standing next to them went and got it and shared - every time - with the boys. His Mother told us he is big into sharing right now. Nothing wrong with that.

I gave a shout out to  2 politicans I recognized Jan Schakowsky and Michael Ouigley and Bryan asked how I knew them. There was no posters or banners.  Ahhh, They are your Congressman and House Rep. from this district. He had no idea. I watch the news and read a paper.

Then a guy from the police Department "Thank You, Blue" float was smoking a cigar. You clearly smelled it before you saw him and before I could say anything Bryan says "Hey, I smell Grandpa."
I did do... Couldn't help but think of him - He too loved a parade.