It'sBig Mike's Birthday!

Jay, Ed and Big Mike solving the problems of the world!
Donna and Mike with Jacob. Heather and Julie are at the table and Zac (or maybe it's Connor) is in the front of the pic.

Today is Big Mike's birthday! Big Mike is my younger brother, and he only got to be Big Mike when his son Little Mike was born. Big Mike holds the title of the Most Annoying Man in the Universe, and he works hard at it. He's a great guy, loving husband to Donna, terrific father to his three sons, a wonderful Uncle/Dad to Britt, and has always been a fabulous uncle to my girls.

So Happy Birthday to one of my favorite brothers!

Sunny Sunday

The day started off dreary and rainy, and got sunny and warm- I have all the windows open and the cat is on the porch, loving it. I slept late, started laundry, then picked up Mom and we went to lunch and Walgrens.

I decided to put a quilt up on the HQ. I cut the backing to size, and it seems really big. Here I thought it was 108 wide and it was more like 124, so I had to take it back off and trim it. By the time I got the top pinned, my knee was so sore that I'm taking a break.

The HQ seminar was so much fun! We were playing with the ruler base and rulers, and that could really get addicting! I ordered a ruler base, straight ruler and versa tool. I left Moose there for a spa treatment, and when I pick her up on Good Friday, the other things should be there. QP is 54 miles away, so it's not somewhere I run to very often.

I get picked up from work on Thursday by Rapid Rover, for my trip to Texas! To come home and go back was cutting it a little too close, so Ralph will take me to work on Thursday. Sunday night I'll get Rapid Rover home.

While I was at QP I bought a couple of patterns, a spool of thread for the HQ, needles and more bobbins. I could spend a week and a fortune there!

Sunday things to be happy about:
A nice day outside
It's been a fun weekend
I go to Texas on Thursday!

Holly

Week 13 stats

Fabric bought this week: 3.5 yards
Fabric bought this year: 28 yards

Fabric used this week: 0
Fabric used this year- 33.5 yards

Books bought this week- 0
Books bought this year - 12

My books read this week- 0
My books read/discarded this year- 13

Holly

Thursday again

Not a lot going on this week- it's been chilly in the mornings (OK, so it's been cold- in the 30's which is totally unnecessary) and today was rainy and dreary.

Steph's news is up on her blog- she's rented a different apartment and can move in the end of May. From the pix, it looks really nice, and it's in Maple Shade, 4 miles from her work. She doesn't have to be in Philly for school that many days, and she's been paying a lot of money in bridge tolls. I'll be happy to have her back on our side of the bridge. The new one is significantly larger than the present one, and has sliders and a little patio.

I haven't done any sewing all week- just haven't felt like it. Saturday I got to an all day HQ16 event at Quilting Possibilities in Forked River, which I'm looking forward to. I'm taking my sewing machine to leave for a spa week- I've had it 5 years, and it's never been cleaned by a professional.

Tuesday would have been my grandmother Alice's birthday. She was born in 1899 and came to America from County Down, Ireland, when she was 17. She died in 1988. She was a terrific grandmother- always baking something for us. It wasn't til I was older and heard family stories that I found out she was a total bitch, and an awful mother. My uncle Ted didn't talk to her for years and years. My Dad was the "good son" who she took total advantage of. Families can be so strange- as the saying goes, you can pick your friends, but you're stuck with your relatives.

I fell off the fabric wagon, and bought some really nice spring fabric. I have in my mind a jacket I want to make for Julianna out of a sweatshirt.

And so goes the week so far!
Holly

Sunny Sunday

It's been a nice day so far. Ralph is working, and Steph and Toast went home last night because Steph has a cold and wanted to be in her own bed.

This morning I slept late, which is always nice, and the cats like it. When I got up I called Mom, and we went to Borders Books- it's the week where they give a 25% discount on just about anything to educators and retired educators. Mom got Jake a book, and a few easy readers for Eddie. I got Eddie and Julie several things, that I'll send them over a few months. They love to get mail!

We stopped at Pine Hill Diner for lunch, then I took Mom home and went to Target. I bought the DVD of Twilight for Steph, some marshmallow chicks for Ralph, and a couple more things for Eddie and Julie. Now I'm home working on the mountain of wash!

Steph called, and she had some good news that I'm sure she'll put up on her blog. She's feeling much better than she was.

Things that make me happy:
Mickey D's sweet tea with lemon!
It's spring!
Spending an hour at Borders!

Holly

Week 12 Numbers

Fabric bought this week- 0 yards
Fabric bought this year- 24.5 yards

Fabric used this week- 0
Fabric used this year- 33.5 yards

Books bought this week- 0
Books bought this year- 12

My books read this week- 0
My books read/discarded this year- 13

First Day of Spring!

Steph took Toast out this morning before it was light out, came in and said it was snowing. "You're not funny" was my response. But when I went to look, it really was snowing! When I left for work, it was snowing so hard that I could just about see! Fine weather for the first day of spring! By the time I hit the freeway, it had stopped.

When I took my traditional Friday evening nap, I had this stupid dream. Ralph and I were looking for property on the beach. (Because Ralph loves the water soooo much, LOL). We found a piece of property right on the sand, and it had this cool rock formation on it. Then a storm came up and we had to leave. When we came back, the water level was almost covering the rocks, and people were diving off the rocks into the water. Ralph said, "Maybe they'll lower the price for the property." One of those dreams that make you wake up laughing, because it was so stupid.

Tomorrow is National Quilting Day. I hope to at least get into the sewing room to celebrate- I've only been in there this week to set the VCR. I haven't accomplished anything at home all week. Next week I have an all day HQ15 class at Quilting Possibilities, which should be fun and informative. The weekend after that I'll be in Houston, and the weekend after that is Easter!

And the beat goes on!
Holly

More party pictures!

Steph with Justin, Mackenzie, and Julianna.
Jay, Ed, and Big Mike solving the problems of the world.
Jim and Mackenzie are ready for St. Patrick's Day!
Mackenzie, Sharon, Steph and Heather.

The birthday girls are ready for cake!

Party Pictures!

Here's Julianna and her Grammy- me!
She's busy playing with one of her new toys, dressed in her shamrock dress.
Steph, Julianna, and Mackenzie, all with their St. Patty's bling on.
Birthday Girl Mary Jane, ready to party!
Steph, Julianna and Heather, all decked out in their bling.
Sisters!
Ralpha and Frenzy, recovering from the party.

Not a quilting week

It's been a good week, just not a quilting week. The time change really got to me- I felt sluggish and tired all week. And I knew Heather, Ed and the kids were coming, and I had things to do to prepare for the party.

Thursday night they stayed at Sharon and Jim's, so Ralph and I got pizza and wings and took dinner over for everyone. We had a nice visit- I swear Julie has grown 2 inches since I saw her! And Eddie lost a tooth, but the new tooth is halfway in. Eddie was busy playing with the boys, and Julie and Mackenzie were scooting around.

Friday night was the birthday party. Ralph was on crockpot duty on Friday, and he did a wonderful job. It was a good party- both of our Moms were here, Heather, Ed, Eddie and Julie, Jim, Sharon, Zach, Connor, Justin and Mackenzie, Mike and Donna with Jake, Charlotte, Ralph and I and Steph, and Steph's friends Jay and Kate. I'll get the pictures up later today.

Yesterday morning I met Barbara at a guild quilt show. There were beautiful quilts, and quite a few vendors, for a small show. We each bought a couple of patterns, and I bought two kits- a baby quilt and a beachy table runner. Between Friday night and Saturday morning, my knee had enough, and refused to go anywhere else, so I came home and rested it.

I went to Joann's Fabrics last night, because I had a bunch of coupons, and needed some things. I got curved embroidery scissors and some beads for embellishing, for a class I'm taking at MQX. Batting was on sale, so I bought two twin batts for a summer project I have planned. I got some muslin, which doesn't count as fabric bought, since I use it for foundations for string blocks. Everything I bought was either on sale or I had a coupon, so it was a successful trip.

This morning I'm meeting Heather, Eddie and Julie at my Mom's. Mom has some sheet sets and other items that she wants Heather to go thru. And I get a bonus visit with the kids!

Things that make me happy:
spending time with the family!
quilt shows
a new issue of Quilts and More

Holly

Week 11 numbers

Fabric bought this week- 0
Fabric bought this year- 24.5 yards

Fabric used this week- 0
Fabric used this year- 33.5 yards

Books bought this week- 1
Books bought this year- 12

My books read this week- 2
My books decided not to read- 0
My books read/discarded this year- 13

Preparing for the party!

Tonight I went food shopping and got most of the party supplies. Friday night is the birthday party for Julianna's 2nd birthday and Mom's birthday. We're also celebrating brothers Frank and Mike's birthdays this month.

I'm making sweet sausage in one crock pot, meatballs in another. We're also having green salad, pasta salad, chips and dip, and of course cake and ice cream. All easy foods, since I have to work Friday. Ralph will be on crockpot duty.

I haven't seen Eddie or Julie since January 20, and it seems like forever. Little kids can change so much so fast!

I've only been in the sewing room this week to turn on the TV/VCR. This time change is so hard to adjust to! Funny, when I go to Houston the hour difference doesn't bother me, but I never change my watch and sorta stay on NJ time. Getting up in the dark is the worst. Everyone at work has the same complaint, so it's not just me.

Holly

Road trip!

Actually, plane trip. I'm going to Texas for a long weekend! I leave Thursday, April 2 after work, and get home that Sunday night. The occasion is to meet Ben's Mom, Polly, and his aunt. They're actually doing a road trip from Nebraska to Houston on their spring break, and asked if I could be there the same weekend to meet them. Sure!

So I get in Thursday night, they get in Friday afternoon. I leave Sunday late afternoon, they leave Monday. So we each get some alone time there, and some all of us time. Manda asked if there's anything I want to do Friday morning- quilt shop, of course! Silly girl had to ask!

Steph and Toast went home tonight. Toast had been here over a week, so I was ready for her to go home for awhile. Having a part time dog is great! When Steph takes her first summer semester she'll have class 4 nights a week for 6 weeks, in addition to working. So Toast will stay here at grandmom's doggy daycare for the 6 weeks.

And the beat goes on!
Holly

Daylight Savings Time has come!

It was hard getting up this morning, but it will be nice to have some light after dinner.

I had a phone call from Manda last night- Ben's mom and aunt are driving to Texas on their spring break early next month, and they wanted to see if I'd come for a long weekend to meet them. Of course I said yes, and I emailed Polly to see what day they're arriving (they're driving from Nebraska- road trip!) so I know what day(s) to take as personal days. This could be fun!

I also talked to Heather last night, and they've rented a 28 foot pull behind camper for their trip up this week. So they'll be able to take lots of stuff back home with them! Julie is now in her big girl bed, and the crib has been taken down. We're all very excited to see them on Friday.

Our Alaskan cruise has a date- August 12! Something else to look forward to. Manda and Steph are both taking summer college classes, so we have to go after classes end.

Sunday things to be happy about:
It's not snowing!
Sam is home!
We'll see Heather, Ed, Eddie and Julianna this week!
Daylight savings time!

Holly

Week 10 numbers

Fabric bought this week- 9 yards
(for the MQX mystery quilt)
Fabric bought this year- 24.5 yards

Fabric used this week- 4 yards
Fabric used this year 33.5 yards

Books bought this week- 0
Books bought this year- 12

My books read this week- 1
My books decided not to read this week- 2
My books read/not going to read this year- 13

Sunny Saturday

It's nice out- in the 60's. Hard to believe we had so much snow earlier in the week.

Sam is home! They went back to the diagnosis of old infection, and some other issues. But she's home, and so happy to be there.

Steph had her partylite demo last night, and we had a lot of fun. I ordered a very pretty piece for a wedding shower next month.

This morning I went and got my car washed, and it looks so pretty! Then I went to Quilted Treasures and got the fabric for a mystery quilt class that I'm taking at MQX with Mark Lipinski next month. I love picking fabric at QT- Lynn and Janet were helping me. I have to take a picture of my choices.

Then I signed up for a Handiquilter 16 event at Quilting Possibilities on March 28. It's 50 miles from here, up by Long Beach Island, but worth the trip. And next weekend is the Love Apples Quilt Show in Mt. Laurel, which I'll go to with my friend Barbara.

Today Steph and I are going to head over to Panera Bread and Borders. Then we have to finalize the food shopping list for Julie and Mom's party next Friday, so I can shop for that.

Eddie lost his first tooth! Little kids are so cute when they look like little jack-o-lanterns.

Holly

Birthday Girls!

This is my mom with Julianna the day Julianna came home from the hospital. Julianna was born on Mom's birthday!
Mom hasn't changed, but Julianna sure has! Today is their birthday. Julianna is 2, Mom is a little bit older! We're having a family party next week when Heather, Ed and the kids come up for a long weekend.
She's such a ham- as soon as she sees a camera, she's all grins. All you have to do is say "shop" to her, and she's ready to go out the door!

Sam is getting really tired of being in the hospital, which is a good sign. No news yet on what's happening- waiting for labs.

I named the string quilt "The Road is Long" and took it up to her today. The name refers to the first line of the song "He ain't heavy, he's my brother" by the Hollies. The song goes- "The road is long, with many a winding turn, that leads us to who knows where, who knows when."It seemed appropriate. The other names I considered were "Chest tubes and veggie burgers" or "snowy days and Mondays".

We had a two hour delayed opening this morning, which was kind of cool. By the time homeroom was over, it was time for first lunch! Made the day go by fast!

Holly

Finally heard from doc

Sam is in recovery, then ICU for tonight. Doc isn't committing until pathology is back, which could take a week. They got started late, which is why he called a little bit ago. She could come home as early as Thursday- keep fingers and toes crossed.

So basically I don't know much more than I did before. But I'm choosing optimism.

Monday snow and nervous breakdowns

We got about 8 inches of snow, so school is closed. Fun now, but we'll pay in June. Ralph is off, so he shoveled a path for Toast, and used the snowblower here, at my mom's, and at his mom's.

Mike and Donna, Joe and Jake flew out of AC this morning to visit Mikey in Orlando. The flight sat on the runway for an hour, but they got there fine. The official reason for the visit is that Jake misses Mikey. Oh, yeah, and this week just happens to be Bike Week in Daytona. What a coincidence! They rented a car because heaven forbid you go to Bike Week in a minivan! Britt has school 2 nights a week, so she's home with Xena.

As for the nervous breakdown, I'm waiting to hear about Sam's surgery. She was scheduled for two-ish, and it should take 1.5 ish hours, and I'm the official contact, since Lou is hard of hearing. So I'm staying close to the phone. If it wasn't for the snow, I'd be at the hospital pacing.

So instead of pacing, I put the string quilt up on the HQ16, put some CDs on loud, and quilted it. It didn't take long, but my knees are really sore. I'll bind it tonight, by machine. (after all, this ain't Paducah, baby). I have two names I'm considering, but I'm not ready to share yet. Tension is still making me crazy, and I tend to overrun the stitch regulator. This is only quilt #7 for me, and I still have a loooong way to go.

I have to say, I have a real sense of accomplishment when I do a quilt on the HQ. I'd never do it as a job, because I would be really upset if a customer wasn't happy. And I have a job, and don't want another. This is playtime for me.

Holly

March 1!

Steph and Toast are curled up on the coach. Toast needs a haircut, but it's so cold out that Steph doesn't want to get it yet.
This is the string quilt that I made while Ralph was away. It's 48x64, and I didn't even make a dent in my container of strips! It's not quilted yet, but I wanted to get it's picture up. I'm pondering on the name- I have one in mind, but have to think about it.

We just got back from late lunch/early dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. It was packed! The food is good, and usually enough for 2 meals. And they have sweet tea! We usually go out to dinner on Sundays when Steph is home.

We're supposed to get some major snow tonight! We'll see, we've heard that before. We had a dusting this morning, but that's mostly gone already.

March birthdays: Frank, Julianna and Mom (both share March 3), Big Mike.

Things to be happy about:
Sam (see previous posts)
Ralph is home
A good book to read (the new Linda Failstein)

And the beat goes on!

Holly

Week 9 Stash and book report

Fabric bought this week- 0
Fabric bought this year- 15.5 yards

Fabric used this week - 2.5 yards
Fabric used this year - 29.5 yards

Books bought this week - 0
Books bought this year - 12

My books read this week - 1
My books decided not to read- 3
My books read/discarded this year - 10