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.

Zip Lining

I really, really wanted too.
I had myself all physed up and ready.
Then I saw the advertisment for the excursion and knew that I couldn't do the one rope bridge or the swaying single plank bridges.
So, Mike went on a zip ling date with Shannon.

The alarm went off at 6:45 and Mike was like a kid on Christmas morning.
I said something like have a nice time (even though my heart wanted him too - I didn't mean it) and rolled over and went back to sleep.

He came back all excited and happy. They had an awesome time and he told me all about it. I kinda believed him.

After seeing the pictures from the day - I now believe him. I also know that I would of slowed him down and he wouldn't of had such a great time worrying about me.

There are more picutres on my shutterfly!!

What do You get....

When you mix alcohol and good times....
Crazy pictures with your family!

And more crazy with good friends!

Oh Yeah -
And a really crazy nephew who has always wanted to play a pro wrestler. Yes, Jack and Jeremy that is your father.

Did You get That?

I heard that a lot last weekend.

Mike and I traveled to Mexico with family to attend Jon and Erica's wedding.
I brought my camera and told Sharen that I would try and take alot of pictures. Mainly so she wouldn't have too and also for all the people who couldn't be there and of course  for Erica who loves to scape book.
I earned the nickname "Wang". I first thought they were calling me a dirty word and then it was explained to me he was a guy in "Caddyshack" who took pictures.

I didn't take any pictures during the ceremony - I just wanted to sit and watch.
But I did manage to take a few pictures during the week.
I'm sure that Erica and Jon wouldn't mind me sharing some.

Arrived

Anniversary dinner

Tequila Bar - Shot!!!

The first day - we had to try everything right? Water Aerobics

Jon's best man, the preacher, and one groomsman

Family and cocktails

I dragged Jon and Erica around the first day taking random shots. The hammock was not one of Jon's favorites.

Who Knew it does rain in Mexico

The stage is set

When women get together there are sure to be cameras, not so much with guys. So I decided to catch a few shots of Jon with his groomsmen hours before the ceremony.

While Erica was getting her hair done this is what Jon was doing. Watching golf!

I got some great shots of Jon and his groomsmen

I even found myself telling the professional photographer what shot to take. He was a good sport about it and said thank you.
I took hundreds and hundreds of pictures - I just hope I got everything!

roger bouncing

This is the video I wanted to share on my last post.


Click here to view this video

Sick Roger???

Roger has been under the weather. Bryan stayed home Wednesday and Mary took her turn on Thursday including a visit to the doctor.
I got to stay (or play) with Roger on Friday.
Bryan warned me to take him with me when I leave the living room cause he gets into things. I'm like whatever - Ha - He found the mail the mail man had put in the slot in the front door. I found him slapping the top to Mary's computer (she had it on the floor so he wouldn't pull it of the table - he likes the cords) . He headed numerous times over to the TV and all Bryan's game counsels. He took off for the dining room where Grandpa's tools were spotted.

Bryan was right his little Army crawl took him everywhere.
 I got the biggest laugh when Mary came home and she was showing me the new colors for the hallway and kitchen. She was holding Roger and Roger spots the light switch on the wall and starts moving his arms in circles like the army crawl thinking he could get to it. So Funny!

Here he is taking control of the remote.  That is an old one Bryan had, but don't tell Roger that. He thinks it's golden.

He sure does love his play center.