'THE' quilt!!

ahh - I have had a few days off from sewing as I am reorganizing my sewing room. Moving stuff - thinning stuff - getting rid of stuff (hopefully). It's amazing just how much 'stuff' I have accumulated over the years. We have the snowmen stuff, the Santa stuff, beads, STAMPS...up the wazoo on those. So it's off to Craig's List or to freecycle for this shtuff!! I have fabric that I know I will NEVER use - but someone will ...won't they?? Of course these 2 trips to WHTFD - buying MORE fabric - but I get the deals of the century - yardage galore - for .50 a piece!!! Can't beat that!
So the quilt passed when I shared it on Monday at Erin's...the kids asked - do you REALLY want to give it away?? It was a true labor of love!! So here it is... it will be really nice on a Queen size bed - but might work on a King too!! And the verdict is out on tying or machine quilting!I have a Harley corner for Jonathan and a sheep corner for Erin....It really was so much fun to do this!!
Enjoy, and see you in cyberspace!!

Spring is in the air.....

Wedding shower today for my future daughter in law.....what a great time - and what great friends she has!! So down to earth - Dominick came along - was a little noisy on the way down - but finally conked out with 15 min left in the ride - home trip was better....he was so handsome today!!
Still dealing with moody children - (singular or plural) that makes me sad. Hopefully we can put a lid on this - and move forward.
Household projects continue to grow - but the front door has been primed and is waiting for paint tomorrow...and the garage mess just keeps growing...now the car is back outside - thanks to the cleaning of sister's garage...Why me???
My project for the Jack and Jill next month is coming along, at least that gives me something to do - in my sewing room - alone - with just my little TV...many many hours have been spent here!! I am toying with re organizing my sewing room, and making better use of my space - that ought to go over real big with the helpers here. May have to just do it all myself!!!
Real Estate is going well...closing on Friday - cha ching!! And hopefully an offer coming in tomorrow.Double cha ching...finally. Couldn't do much with the rental commission, so that just got put away...
So another Sat comes to a close..a happy day...but still concerned about Chantal - haven't seen her for a few days, as she is still so uncomfortable. Maybe tomorrow or Monday...keeping her and Brian in my prayers!!

Just another day??

Ah yes.....April 22 - in 1944 my mom and dad tied the knot!! They were together for almost 46 years! Bob and I tied the knot - wow 20 freaking years ago - where has the time gone....gone in raising 3 sons...and 2 daughters....and that I will say I done good!!! My kids are my pride and joy....3 amazing sons - with their equally amazing other halfs!!! and my awesome girls - moody at times - but all in all - I couldn't ask for anything better. I remember at our wedding - making some dumb comment about being on tour and..and old...but doing music way into the future - well, that has changed a little - maybe on occasion - but not too often.
The economy sucks - and so go or lives...not much to be celebrating - this to do list grows by leaps and bounds - but the bills need to be paid - so that list just sits there from year to year. Real Estate - well actually I can say that I am busier in this economy that I was in better times - go figure - just need to get these suckers sold!!!
The wedding approaches..and I have offered to make a quilt or a raffle for the Jack and Jill that will be held in June.... it's going great - but hopefully not too much of a pain in the neck - literally - last year I did a quilt and got rewarded with days in bed - big pain meds (and they did work!) and didn't touch that quilt for a year..I am excited about giving this to the kids as a raffle prize at the party - I certainly hope that people like it enough that they will buy lots of tickets....or I will have to buy them all. Becca asked me what will I do if someone (you know who) wins, and I don't like them....well, I will have to smile - be nice - and hope that they enjoy the fruits of my labor!!
So - back to April 22....the day came and went, just like any other day...sort of sad I guess - 20 years - and not too much to celebrate....did get a dinner - but actually said we should head home - what we spent on dinner - could have paid a bill!
How sad....

Wedding Bells!

And the new news this week is - We're going to have another wedding!!! We are 3 for 3 - 3 sons that have chosen wonderful women to be their wives! These gals all great! Not sure of when - or where - but the question was asked - and the answer was yes! And yes - he asked 'dad' and had to ask her 'Godfather' as well, but they all love Jonathan dearly - so the answer was a 'no brainer' - although I understand that he was asked - what if she says 'no'!? Not a chance - they are 2 peas in a pod - and a shout out to Brian and Chantal for playing matchmaker 2 years ago!! Their persistence paid off.
We all welcome Erin into the fold!
More news flashes as they become available!!

Happy Spring!!

Spring is in the air!!

The sun is shining, the temps are still a bit chilly - but spring is coming - she's just taking her time! Dominick was here yesterday, and we went for a walk - he must have been totally bored - as he conked out on the first time around the block. Our house is starting to look like we have a baby here!! Porta crib, umbrella stroller, booster high chair, toys, toys, toys....it's really great! I am checking out a walker today, as it's a pain to have to carry that in when he comes. And I am sure that there will be more babies in the future!!
Have put the crocheting aside - since I have a inventory of about 45 crocheted blankets, 3 quilts and assorted fleece. Add to that all the hats I made for the winter,and the small soft toys. I will be entering these to a web site - sometime in the near future. I started working on a outfit for Dominick last night, have the shirt to make today. I must say I got some of my sewing skills from my mom - although a dressmaker I will never be! I still would love to have another shop someday, but now may not be the time, with the economy as it is....it's a risk in a normal environment, but this one - can't risk that!
With spring coming, I am also looking forward to getting to the garden - I have a bunch of items on the to do list - but that's another blog.
Enjoy the day!

Boyz, boyz, boyz

Can't live with them and ya can't live without them!!! Let's be honest - my daughters are great, nice, kind, smart, etc... (yes, my boys are all that too - more on them later) One is a JR - the other a Freshman...she just got through a relationship (well they were 'going out' what ever that means!!) they never went anywhere - just saw each other in school - yet - he 'broke up' with her the other day. go figure.....these boys are sooooo immature. I try and explain that to the girls all the time. They have no clue about being in a relationship (maybe that's a good thing). I explain to the girls that it is the boys loss, and not theirs. Kate had what seemed to be a really nice kid that she was 'going out' with, and from out of the blue - he broke up with her. Actually the day AFTER we spent the whole morning and afternoon together - some stupid story about his parents not wanting him to date a girl from town....had a chat with his mom, and she was clueless as to what was going on - seems that all the parents love her!! Again HIS loss not hers. My boys went through the same thing....girls kept telling them that they were TOO NICE!!!!! AGGHHH!! Well, that doesn't matter anymore - the they are all attached, and we are 3 for 3...3 awesome boys - 3 awesome girls....A trifecta!!!
Well, the girls will get over this - hopefully - soon, we will dry the tears, and try to believe mom....there is someone out there...there is lots of time to find him!!
Enjoy!!!

And Life Goes On

It's Sunday - it's also 1:20 in the afternoon, and I am still in my PJ's. I am running out of ambition, the winter is long, cold, dark, and I have often wondered if I really do suffer from that seasonal disorder!! I could sleep all day! I have had ideas, and plans, but none come to fruition very easily! I am energized when I am in the company of 'the baby' aka that sweet bundle of joy, Dominick! And we just bought a stroller so when he comes here - we can take the sidewalk walks - they don't have sidewalks in Granby, and the drivers there are way too fast for the roads!
Anywho.....I continue to crochet, and about now - there must be at least 40 bankets in my stash...now to market them!! My thoughts are to start with Craig's List, and keep it local. It would be great to get a site on ETSY..but with my luck I would get lots of orders, and I am only one making these. Granted I am quick, and certain blankets can be made it a couple of days, but I am only human.....
Real Estate is done - I can't afford the fees in this market - of course I have to decide if Iam going to keep my license at all....tht deision will be made at renewal time...May.
I shold get back to the mundane chores that surround me, and hope that my teenagers would ever consider hekping out. We have Happy, Bashful and Grumpy living here....and of course the last is a combo of Sleepy, and a little Dopey at times. But that's another blog!
Enjoy - and remember....spring is coming!!

A New Year?

The old year has ended, on not one of the better notes in the symphony. Left the shortest employ I have ever had in my entire life! Semi mutual decision, I was so ready to go, and they made the decision for me. It was at an unknown Realty company - that did everything oh so wrong. Of course he claimed that 'that's why we hired you', to clean up the mess that they created. Having an unlicensed agent doing RE for MONTHS! I refuse to go against everything that I have worked for over the past 4 years to put my license in jeopardy - so c'ya later! Phew - gad that's over - but I have not walked away without leaving a little notice behind. I will be filing some ethics complaints - they have to be stopped - some home buyer is going to wind up getting screwed because of their lack of knowledge. So I move forward!
2008 certainly had ups and downs - mostly downs.....just not a happy camper enough of the time. When I am around my new grandson, well that's a good time, all my kids that's good too, but too much of my time is spent thinking about what's missing. I cold write a book about that.
So now that I am unemployed AGAIN....I will move forward, find something that I can do and do well. I have had an invite to go back to an agency I was with last year, and of course I have the debt hanging over my head to my previous agency - not good. This too shall pass...
Here's hoping that 2009 will find me here more often, with better news!

The Asthma Inhaler Issue

Today the news reports that asthma medicine will be TAKEN OFF THE SHELVES...more on our 6:00 report....not that I use my inhaler all the time - but every now and then I have a little need. So needles to say I was curious...when the report aired - the reporter doing the story explained that the inhalers were being removed and replaced but something a little different. The substance used to move the medicine into the lungs is being changed...why...because is can cause harm the THE OZONE!!! Makes me wonder....what the hell is it doing to my tender lungs, that are so close....if it is having an impact on the ozone.....that is sooooo far away???
On another note - paper today stated that there are a few Interior Decorators in CT that are miffed that they can't call themselves Interior Designers instead. Seems that to be listed as a INTERIOR DESIGNER, one must take and pass a 2 day test and obtain a license. Makes sense to me...after all, If I hire someone to remodel (not redecorate) my home - they better know everything they need to know about structure, plumbing, electrical, zoning regs, and building codes. I remember my former BIL telling me the story of an architect that drew a beautiful plan for an addition, but when it came to the angles fitting together - nothing did..so much for his expertise. This woman claims to have been doing this since 1983 - and you tell me that in all that time - she couldn't take and pass this test, I'll bet the cost was a lot less back in '83. There's a lot more at stake hiting someone that can pick colors to someone that can tear down a wall without the whole house falling in.
On a lighter note - love is in the air in our house...not that I am too thrilled about it all. However, there is one young man that any mother would want to date her daughter, and the daughter doesn't get it yet...he has already given her a rose when he delivered her fried dough the other night - how romantic, and he sure is cute...
Sports game started this week - I could use a clone so I can get everywhere - at least there are only 2 different teams - but through a marching band person in the mix - and that can get nuts!
Until next time - or another issue, and don't get me started on politics...

Gearing up for the holiday weekend....

Heading off to our camp in MA for the long weekend. While being there is relaxing - getting there can be stressful. Of course we are taking a 'friend' along - so I need to bring up the tent - and get that set up before dark. And then there is stopping at the store for all the goodies that we need. We have camped at this campground for the past 12 years (where has the time gone?). The girls have spent many a summer weekend there. It's a really nice camp - visually - the sites are large, and many people have done lots of great things to their site. It is an 'ownership' camp - you 'buy' a share and you have the right to the use of a site 'of your choice'. We 'bought' ours 6 years ago, we made our final payment this year!! While it's quite pretty, some of the 'owners' tend to make it less than enjoyable to be there!! But you have to look the other way, and just shrug them off. This weekend there is lots going on - as it's the last hurray for the summer. The girls are hoping that LOTS of kids (whoops - BOYS) will be there. But will they ever talk to them - nope!! Check out the link....http://www.laurelridgecampingarea.org/index.html
On a lighter note - Kate got 2 of her teeth bonded - as they were a little 'off' as far as the shape goes. She just got her braces off after 4 years - I really wanted her to have the perfect smile - especially after having the braces for so long.
Well - off to pack and get ready to hit the road!!
Have a wonderful, safe holiday weekend!

Buses RULE!!! or Bus RULES!!!

Hmmm..twice in one day?? Couldn't resist - saw a news report on the local station tonight. It was about a Principal in the Winsted, CT school system and how he goes onto the school buses of his elementary students and talks about bus manners, and bus safety. It has always bothered me to be behind a school bus and see kids up and down in the seats, fooling around, and basically misbehaving. And of course there are those newsreels that show the fights that happen. And you have the bus driver that can't really control the situation. Flash back to the 60's, we had bus monitors...they wore white safety patrol badges, they were older students (wow 6th graders!!) But I'll tell you - we couldn't turn around on our seats, we couldn't have a foot in the aisle. If we did - well then it was a trip to see Mr. Krickscuin, our principal - and he was a BIG man, and scary (at least to a little person!). Today bus drivers have been stripped of their ability to control the situation. Maybe the kid's civil liberties are at risk??? Guess it's better to have a kid get the crap kicked out of him/her, than to uphold the rules. My hat is off to Principal O'Connell in Winsted, CT for starting these kids out early with abiding by the rules...I hope that what they are learning stays with them - it will make them better students, and better citizens of the world.

Here we go!!!

Well, it's the first morning of my blog - had a great visit with a friend for coffee (tea actually). I think I am one of the few swedes that don't drink coffee - even though I used to 'dup' coffee cake into my Mormor's coffee when I was a little girl. Can't stand the stuff now!! It was nice to catch up with her - we live in the same town - but have had a busy summer! The kids are back in school - my oldest (at home child that is) has gone back to public school after 2 years at a private girl's school - she is so excited that she said she would be dancing in the halls! My youngest (again, at home child) is a freshman, and also had a great start...middle at home child is hubby's niece...she is the veteran..she was at the high school last year - so she can give the aid to the other two if they need help - certainly must make her feel a little superior! Would I want to be back in high school - NOT ON YOUR LIFE!!! It was such a simpler time in the 60's and 70's. I went to a small high school - and everyone knew everyone...great times - no stress - school is what you make it - you want it to suck and it will - want it to be great - and it will be!!
One last different subject - the little boy from New Haven, CT that is involved with the youth baseball program there (can't call it Little League - as it is not affiliated with it) who can't play ball - cause HE IS TOO GOOD?!?!?! What's up with that?? He should be so proud that he is as good as he is - and the other teams should be doing double overtime in the batting cages so they can hit his 40 mph pitches. To tell a child that he can't play because he is too good...that's nuts! But this is the way that things seems to go nowadays....if you don't win you don't want to play, What happened to if you don't play you can't win? Shame on all those involved with this issue. I hope that he and his family look to a REAL Little League team, and he plays ball there. I went through this myself with my own son 20 some odd years ago - he was a late stater as far Little League-ers go - he was tall - he was a fast runner - and he could hit the ball out of the park - instead of the fans from the other team saying anything positive about his accomplishments - they immediately questioned his age - he couldn't POSSIBLY be the correct age - he HAD to be older!!! In reality I guess some things never change!! I hope that little boy from New Haven finds his niche, sticks with it - and boy I hope he likes the Red Sox!!!
Have a great day!!