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