Never thought much about it...

but it isn't an easy thing to get a good picture of a ceiling! I'm laying on the floor here and I still could only get the smallest corner. It's not like I could back up any further if you know what I mean. Well, maybe you'll need to take my word for it, but it looks real sharp with my floors! The floodlights(4 sets) are gorgeous and make me feel like I'm in a gallery of color when I look at all the quilts in progress and the finished ones hanging on the walls. So Darcie, be it "Cottage Industrial" or "Industrial Country" it works for me. Actually, it reminds me of my grandfather's "shop." That's what I remember it being called and we were forbidden to enter- but like most humans, we found the temptation too much to resist. The door was locked with a big padlock- protected by a circle of rubber cut from an old innertube and nailed over it. I think that was pretty clever. A couple broken boards around back, though. It was always cool in there. Grandpa had been a welder and there were all kinds of interesting things in that shop. And the roof was metal and all rusted. And I know it sounds weird- I haven't been in that shop since I was 9 years old, but I think my quilt room smells like that shop, now. Maybe it's the metal roof... or maybe, just maybe it's the two guys who worked- and sweated- in there for 2 days straight!!

Was it really only a week ago...

that I was in Tennessee with Sarah? Here is the quilt that I made for her for our birthday challenge. She gave me the blue fabric... which of course, I had nothing that remotely matched. So I threw in what I had (part of the rules that you couldn't buy fabric) and she seemed to like the results. Some one said it was very subtle for me. Yeah, it is. I really enjoyed working on this quilt, even though... the fabric choices were out of my usual sphere. The fact that it was Sarah's quilt probably had a lot do with that, but I think the best part was just taking my time working on it. I received the challenge in the end of September. And I just made sure I worked on it a little every week. I already had the pattern picked out, I just needed to sew. I usually pick out a pattern and fabric and then really push myself to finish it quickly- like it's some kind of race. Or it is for some one and I have a deadline of when it needs to be done. This had a deadline- our birthdays in June, but I had nearly a year to make it. A lesson learned- plan ahead. It's lots more fun.

Since coming home, I have been in a post-Xmas funk. You know what I mean? Months spent in anticipation and preparation of a big event and when it is over... now what? Not that I don't have tons to do, but I just don't seem to have any steam built up to do it. So... I cleaned the living room. Weeded the flower garden. Might have sewn or quilted, but DH was working on decorating my quilting room ceiling- very cool. Corrugated steel, from the old barn- rusty in spots and primitive. He finished a couple days ago and now I need to clean up the mess. All the price you pay for progress and I don't mind a bit. Looks like you're in an old shed. Bill just laughs at me and says, "People are probably wondering why you want to make this old house look even more run down..." I guess I don't figure into it what other people think. Plus, I ask you, what do you think a nice new room looks like on an old house? Out of place, that's what. This looks like it's been here for years. Very cozy. Goes with my whole "industrial cottage" decorating theme. Love the metal. At any rate, I need to clean up the saw dust and straighten everything out. I also need to unpack my sewing machine. I so pity the poor people who have to lug the sewing machine out every time they want to sew. I remember those days and I am so happy they are past. It really inhibits my creativity. I guess that's how I get so much quilting done- it's just sitting there, waiting on me. How could I resist? But just knowing that I have to take the sewing machine out of the box has kept me from binding that coal mine quilt... and who knows what else.

We had a pitch-in, yesterday at DH's sister's house. So had lots of cooking to do for that. Thought about Judy L. She says they rarely go out to eat and that she cooks a lot. hmmm. I guess that could be said of me, too. But I jump at the chance to eat out- just to have someone else do it. Of course, the whole cooking for 10, might jade me a bit. But mostly I love it. Cooking, that is. Oh OK, and eating. Did too much of it, yesterday. So today I'm feelin' weary from all that cooking and eating. So, I thought I'd take my time- like with Sarah's quilt and fertilize the flowers. Did a load of laundry. And now I need to take DS Joe back to the dentist. He had a root canal, last week. He gets very defensive when people learn this, "I don't have any cavities! I brush my teeth!" He got shot in the mouth with a pellet gun. He had protective goggles on- he just smiles, too much. Cracked his tooth- in two directions. The dentist didn't have much hope that it wouldn't fall out, but so far so good. At least I get to just sit in the waiting room. Now doesn't that sound relaxing?

Had a great time...

I've been trying to post for a couple days, but Blogger hasn't been very cooperative. Finally figured out how to get next door by going around the block. A bit tiresome, but it gets you there.

I had a wonderful trip to Tennessee. Bekah said, after 5 hours in the car, that she was gonna ask Sarah why she put Tennessee so far away. But it was a pleasant drive with very little road construction. It was so good to see Sarah. I'm afraid that is going to be the best picture that you'll see of us- all the others in the collection have caught us hard "at work." Complete with crazy hair and scruffy T-shirts. We exchanged quilts upon arrival. Can't wait to show you.

We went to Franklin, TN, on Tuesday. My cousin, Beth, gave us the guided tour. We saw Kenny Chesney's house, Dolly Parton's house and Trisha Yearwood's house. Other than that, we went to an incredible quiltshop, a sweet quiltshop- tiny but I rather enjoyed it more than the bigger one, had a yummy lunch at a cool place called "Dumplin's" and all, in all, had a great visit with Beth. Tuesday evening, we pieced one quilt, each. Gives you some idea of the size of pieces! Sarah's dad says,"Those are the biggest blocks I have ever seen!"

Wednesday we dyed fabric- 15 yards. I have to say that this was incredibly fun, and I can see how it could be very addictive- considering getting my own dyes and doing some fun things with it. Sarah said I was like a mad chemist- and if she only knew how I restrained myself... But that's for another paycheck... Then Sarah treated me to lunch at Sonic's. Like an old drive-in. We came home and started piecing some more on our soldier quilts. She is giving hers to a guy who worships with her Mom and Dad. Beth knows a soldier there in Nashville that I'll be sending mine to.

Finished the soldier star quilts, Thursday, and took the kids out to Chinese for lunch. We had a bonfire for the kids, that evening. (Amazing how "Bonfire" and "Barn fire!" sound so similar to those 911 dispatchers- but that's another story...) The kids had already been treated to a hay ride. Packed up and hit the road, early Friday morning.

Well, that's the very abbreviated story of my happy week in Tennessee. I'll elaborate on everything as I post some pictures of our presents and projects. Hoping everyone else had a great week, too.

All my bags are packed...

I'm ready to go. I'm standing here, thinkin' they might explode! Never been accused of being a light traveler. I'm one who always throws in one more pair of jeans or one more t-shirt. Never have too many t-shirts. Had to sit on the suitcase to close it. Figure I won't have to open it until I arrive. To be fair, I am sharing the same suitcase with two little girls. Baby Abe woke me up this morning, crying. He thought I had already left. Broke my heart. He seems over it. I don't know that I am. That's the hard part- all the fun people I'm leaving behind. My DH is pretending like I'm not going. Now, the big boys are planning a horror movie fest. (I hate those things- keep me up at night. Well, I figure they can go for it, but no pity from me when the younger of the boys are up and worried at night.) I guess it'll be lots of pizza and sandwiches and cereal for them. Although Daniel can bake a great cake and Joe's very handy with the brownies. I won't worry. Ok, I'll worry, but they'll be fine.

I finished all the handwork. whew. Bindings are bound and labels are affixed. Dresses are buttoned. I have the sewing machine packed up. Sarah emailed me to remind me not to forget it. Apparently she nearly had. Then I get an email requesting that I bring my cutting mat and ruler- 'cause she was planning on bringing hers, but she forgot. I'm beginning to see why Sarah needs a plan. I already had my cutting board packed. I'll have to explain to Sarah the concept of a list when I get to Tennessee. You don't get to be a mom to 8 kids without learning to organize and never, ever, trusting your brain to be able to function like a normal person- information goes in, but it is seldom there for more than a flash and hidden under a pile of useles rubbish in no time. Kinda like my camera software. So... I'm finishing the few things that need to be done- like painting my toe nails, and plucking my eyebrows. oh, Sarah, calm down. I'll be there, but the whole experience is gonna need a little fine tuning if I'm going to get out of here without blubbering like a big baby!

If I had a brain I might be dangerous...

Guess what I got? A new camera!! Thrilled with it, but like all new things in technology, it takes a while to figure out. And it takes some of us a while longer than others. I just need to know how all of this works. It works, but how? Where did that file come from and where is it stored? If you can't find a file, does it really exist? What's the point of creating a file if it is hiding somewhere on the harddrive behind some kind of cyber-bully. It is more difficult to be excited about taking new pictures when you have to face the new software that isn't like the comfy pair of jeans the old software felt like. Nothing soft about it. And then it happened. Every last picture on my old software transferred to the new- how? Why? I have no idea. Maybe I should just accept it. As long as it plays nice.

I am getting ready for the big event. Sarah had this idea, along with her DMom, that we should get together for a little mini-retreat sometime near our birthdays. So I am driving down to Nashville and Sarah is driving up to Nashville and we are spending the week with her folks. I am taking Eva and Bekah with me and she is toting up her Maddie and Ian. So they will have a fun week, too. Grandma has volunteered to cook and watch kiddos- yes, she is a saint. Sarah is all about the plan. I tease her about this, but really she is the ideal tour guide. She Googles and Mapquests and finds all the cool places (quiltshops) and such(restaurants) to visit. Then she graphs it all out on a spread sheet on the sequence of events... I jest. But it isn't far off the mark. But she says, "What's the point of going somewhere if you spend your whole day wandering around trying to find what you're looking for?" What's the point, indeed. I intend to do all that kind of stuff, and then fizzle out before I accomplish anything. So, I'll drive down on Monday. Tuesday looks like the shopping day. My cousin Beth might be joining us. Wednesday looks like a sewing day- we are hoping to make a Quilt of Valor, each, and another little quilting project which can't be mentioned here 'cause you never know who might be lurking. Thursday is rounding up with some dyeing- woohoo! I whined lots and lots about her dyeing without me. Now we're going to dye together. That's true friends for ya. And then, I'll be driving back on Friday.

Am I ready? Hmmmm. Well, you see, oh this is gonna be bad, huh? Well, um, yes, I think I am pretty ready. All things considered.

• Last September, Sarah instigated a quilt challenge- the girl with a plan. She gave me 3 yards of fabric(wouldn't you know it's blue?) that needed to be made into a quilt by our birthdays. In June. I gave her 3 yards of orange- seemed only fair. The quilt is done- the binding still needs to be done- the hand part, and sewing on the label.
• I need to bind another small project for her, too. Again, the handwork.
• Then the girls' dresses. I made the three girls each a dress using the redwork embroidery that I did on my sister's sewing machine. I need to sew on the buttons and make the button holes- again, with the handwork.
• Then I need to pack. Laundry. Could that be called handwork? I don't see why not.

All in all, I think I will be ready in a few days... Oh, that's right, I need to be ready in one day. Sarah asked yesterday if I were hyper, too. I said I'm 2 years older that her and way past hyper. Actually I just said that I'm too tired to be hyper. But I'll rest up and be ready to cut a wide swath in Tennessee. So... If I don't talk to you guys before I go, have a great week- I plan on it. Taking lots of pictures with my new camara. (Oh, and Sarah might even show me how to make a favorite reads list and a profile picture- so some of you - and you know who you are- might be happier when I return!)

Ewwwww.... I am now intimately acquainted with this dumpster...

It wasn't how I had planned my day... At no point during my morning did I say to myself, "Why don't I climb into a smelly ole dumpster? It's an extremely hot day and I bet the smells emanating from it would be just yummy..." Nope, nothing like that crossed my mind.

Had a decent morning. Finished quilting Sarah's quilt for our quilt challenge- due next week, during our "retreat." I was thrilled with this little milestone. Called DH Bill up and asked him if he would like me to bring him lunch at work... He said he was finishing up and would I like to meet him? Now doesn't that sound like fun? So.. had a pleasant lunch at Subway- you guys know I am being good with the diet when I mention Subway. At anyrate, Bill goes on his way and I decide to do a little shopping before heading back to quilt another quilt. Oops! I accidentally drop Bill's cell phone into my purse- makes it difficult to call him and let him know that I have his phone... But about an hour later, he calls to say that he is at the bank and that he is closing all 3 of his accounts(business and personal) due to the fact that his briefcase had been stolen while we were having lunch... well, that was a bummer. He had dozens of receipts in that briefcase- and the three checkbooks... I knew there was going to be no living with the man for a while- he just wasn't going to be able to snap out of it. So, I had this bright idea that I would cruise the neighborhood and check all the trash cans and dumpsters. Ok, it was an act of desperation. But what was worthless paperwork to some one else, was invaluable to Bill. And like I said, Bill was not going to be a happy camper... So I went searching through trash cans- the gas station attendant was kinda rude, but I just smiled my goofy grin...Then I notice this dumpster behind some construction trailers... worth a try, I figure. Can you believe that Bill's briefcase was in there? Way down in there, but I could see it. Well, you'll notice there are all kinds of handholds and footholds on the outside the dumpster... Scrambled over pretty fast. Real fast- before the smell of sour milk and sour mash made a weenie out of me. (Sour mash? What they throw out when making something with an alcohol content higher than 89%. Nasty.) Hoisted the case over the side... hmmm... that case weighed a ton, but not so much as I... hoisted myself over the side- touching the inside of the dumpster as little as possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you to whoever invented hand-sanitizer! Too bad I couldn't call Bill and tell him the good news... ring, ring. That would be Bill. I say how I have his briefcase and he says how this really isn't the time to joke around. No really. Think he is going to be a happy camper when I tell him that the check books are right where he left them- only thing missing was a $1 calculator and some pens and pencils. Kind of rekindles your faith in mankind... ok, maybe not, but a big relief. Reopened the accounts- well, they will be in a couple days. Good enough. He insisted I blog about it and wasn't it a coincidence that I had my camera with me? That's me by the dumpster- trying to smile and not breath through my nose at the same time.

Stylish ladies...

Aren't these adorable? They are hanging on one of the guest room walls at my Aunt June's house. I asked her about them and she said that a lady friend of hers had made them for her- as greeting cards. But of course, they were too precious for her to part with. They are very tiny- with button faces not even an inch across. Their fancy hats are felt-embellished, and their dresses are just drawn with a nice pen. I just thought they were way cool.

The rain is giving everything a nice soaking, tonight. Sorry Dad. He's having to tote 60 gallons of water a day to keep his garden from completely giving up. I can't figure that would be good for the recently refurbished ticker... At any rate... here are some things that have occurred to me...

I believe...

• That one is never so aware of the blessing of sunshine and rain as when one is gardening.
• That never will a flower garden be happier than in June.
• That if we try harder we can store up the memory of the sun on our foreheads and the heat pressing against our faces for a cold winters' day- it might even make us smile.
• That children should work on a strict catch and release method when collecting fireflies. And never, ever, taught that it's ok to rip their tails off just so you can have a glowing ring. that's just wrong.
• That some of the flowers in the clearance section should be taken home out of pity. Not pity for the plant, but it's good for the soul to at least attempt to save something from the brink of destruction.
• That a "watched pot" will eventually boil- but the wait can be excrutiating. Turn your back on it and throw together a salad.
• That while "watched pots" will eventually boil, a watched quilt will never quilt itself. Weird how that doesn't happen. It just sits there and sits there and sits there...
• That The Pink Panther movie isn't very funny, but once you add the really bad French accent... hilarious. We'll see if Tonya agrees with this assessment in a few months... only they'll be really good French accents... so maybe the effect will be lost.
• That nothing feels as sweet as chubby little baby arms wrapped around your neck.
• That no child could feel unloved when given a piece of warm, homemade bread. Bread is very serious business- Monkey Bread not withstanding.