Mission Accomplished!

Well, while in Charleston, delivered my quilt to Fire station at the corner of Wentworth and Meeting! I delivered it to Billy Perez (very tall!) and they were very appreciative. Before I went to the station I made my pilgrimage to People, Places & Quilts (yummy place!) and they look at the quilt. They said I should have arranged for the Chief to meet me at the station and get a little fan fair. They said my quilt was awesome!! I felt so proud!! But I'm not into fan-fair unless of course it comes with a check. This event just was better done simply!!

Absolutely no fat jokes!! It's fluid!!!

This is a bell in a tiny garden next door to the station. There's been tons of flowers here ever since the fire.



Saturday was the anniversary of the shooting at Ft Sumter. There was a lot of Civil War events going on. Thus:

Where are the Yankees??

Look closely, plastic cups, automobiles, Oakley sunglasses, and Vera Bradley purses, no wonder we still haven't won!!!!

Charleston

Off to a funeral this morning and mid-day. then down to Charleston to see Lili. The azaleas are at their peaks, should be beautiful and the weather seems to be good too!! I'll take pics for my peeps!!! By the way peeps - my diet has been 2 days now, and you wouldn't believe the energy, I'm trying to do lots of protein, I got a ton of stuff done yesterday all at a leisurely pace and no stress - almost slept through the night without hot flashes nor tingly ants crawling on me!! We are actually going to take the girls (Brielle and Lili) in a carriage ride, it's not too hot yet so the horses don't stink tooo bad and with the flowers at full bloom - fun. They've never done it nor have we. Plus I'm delivering my firemen tribute quilt to the fire station that lost the men at the sofa factory fire last summer. I've just never been down there since (well one time but I had that psycho mother (a mother of one of Lili's friends) with me, so no fun stuff was done then) So I will cry I'm sure - but this was the purpose of that quilt to give it to them. Plus it won second place at the State Fair - my first entry ever!! I already have my plans for this year's fair!! I can't find those pictures of my quilt right now!! Ugh, so you will have to wait.

Diets!!

High protein, low carb, no fat (as much as possible) DIETS starting today!! We will have fish, chicken and some beef with lots of veggies and some fruits everyday - that's it. I've gotten so fat - that I'm seriously considering switching over my entire wardrobe to berkas. Only because I can't fit into anything else in my closet!! After 6 changes of clothes, I finally found something to wear to a meeting last night. The whole night I was miserable with my stomach hanging over my belt - my fat bra squeezing my boobs and causing back fat all over the place, not to mention the boobs were resting on the ever expanding stomach. Ugh!!!

Sassy Settings

Working on my table for Sassy Settings. My women's civic group has a spring fundraiser that is an auction of themed tablescapes!! Fun, Fun. I'm doing a Halloween Table, last year I did Breakfast at Tiffany's - or rather Birthday at Tiffany's - I think it was by far the most original.

I made my own Tiffany Boxes, painted them, stenciled Tiffany on them, added them to flower wire and put them in a crystal vase with white tulips. My table cloth was "the blue" with white satin ribbon down the center as if a box. I had "diamonds" scattered all over the table (from the flower dept again). I used silver wedding favor trays for the seating cards, then the napkins were the same "blue" with diamond rings that you would use for a wedding shower as the napkin rings. I made chair covers out of white satin. It was very good!!

This year I'm going with vintage Halloween, black and orange. My center piece is going to be an elaborate candle obra that is black with crystals and I'm making three muslin dolls about 18 inches high dressed in vintage Halloween costumes (like the fabric I'm using for an apron) The dolls stand around the candle obra. I'm still looking for orange place mats. It's been fun!! This year I'm ahead of schedule and it's all coming together smoothly, (I hope I don't screw up!)

A Tiny Setback!!

Well... I spent Thursday in the Emergency Room. I started my morning at the gym, just like any normal Thursday. I did my workout with my trainer, then did some more mileage on the treadmill. I was really winded and "tingly" after the treadmill, so I sat for a minute until I could get my breath. Well, it went down hill from there. I got really "tingly" everywhere and my hands and feet started drawing up like lobster claws. Then my face started it too, I could hardly talk, couldn't form my mouth (now that's bad, when we can't talk!) So, they gym people called my parents, only a mile down the road, they were going to come get me and I was going to rest up at their house, then go home. Well, by the time they came, the dr at the gym, said call an ambulance, my pulse was really weak and he was afraid I was having a stroke. (not to mention all my normal heart issues!) So..... after an ekg, cat skan, blood work, pee test, yada, yada, it was determined that I was extremely low on electrolytes and potassium. I now need to take Gatorade to the gym, not just plain water. So.... untold thousands of dollars and hours later, they sent me home. The only lasting effect is I'm sooooo very weak!! All my energy has been depleted from my system. I get winded just walking down the hall or up to the mailbox. And the very worst part is I've missed my hair appointment, now everybody is going to know how much gray hair I really have!!!

Enjoy!!

My sweet babies taking in a little sun!! Crisp air but beautiful sun!! (a lot of pollen too!) I'm land locked - my car is getting a monumental inspection, so no flitting around for me. My "One Fish, Two Fish" is in the mail. It's recipient snuck a peak on my blog. She tells me she never gets on the computer at home as too much time is spent in cyper space at work. Sure, like I believe that, she's already seen her surprise!! Well, she has a few more sercies coming with the quilt!!

Final Shot!! One Fish, Two Fish

Channeling Suess

My Friend that is having twins at age 46, her first baby(!!) is having a birthday next week. She's doing the nursery in fish....sooo.....

I still have to put buttons on for the eyes, but it's mainly done. It needs a label on the back too.

The back has lily pad fabric with bright accents, the purple represents me, my favorite color. The girl and I have been friends since the 4th grade, so the wall quilt is also filled with love!!

It started as this: It's all my hand dyes and some stenciling of the letters. My techniques are just about perfect in this one, I'm getter better!!

While I'm sewing, Conchetta is cleaning and Bogie is trying to defend his food bowl from her!!

I'm Back!!

My sarcasm is in full swing, I must feel better!!! My whole family hates my sarcasm, but me, I love it!! I laugh at my own diggs!! Weird, yes, but I still love me!!

Pollen Headaches

Beautiful Spring is coming!! Love the Crepe Myrtles, love the Pear Trees, Love the Azaleas, Love the Dogwoods!! Hate the sinus headaches!! My head /face has been ready to explode for 2-1/2 days!! My eyes are so swollen!! I feel like I've been crying for days, but it's just sinus and yes I've taken sinus meds. It just doesn't help!! My house is a wreck!! Thank goodness we aren't doing Easter here!! I need time to put my house back together!!

This isn't our yard, but this is what the whole state looks like for about two weeks!! Starting now!! Lucky us, unlucky heads that suffer from the pollen!!

Rainy Days and Wednesdays get me down!

My sister Julie has issues with her co-workers. Let's just say she hates office politics and sometimes her attitude needs adjusting - not saying she's wrong or right or that the others are wrong or right. Everybody needs adjusting from time to time!! My husband found a book for her called "how to get along with your co-workers". She loves it, now if someone would write - "how to get along with your family"!!! Whoever writes it owes me a finder's fee!! Anyhow, I'm working on one fish two fish. Pictures to follow after the recipient receives it!!I've got some netflix's and I'm settled for the morning. It's rainy here anyhow.

Man oh man did we have the weather Saturday night. A little town called Branchville, is pretty much flat. We've eaten at The Churn (gone now) after kayaking, another town Bath (never heard of it) is pretty flat, and lots of damage in Elgin, on the east side of Columbia. Us, we hardly had any wind - some people had hail here, we didn't. The sky changed colors so many times and in such short amount of time!! It went from purple to grey, to bright white during one commercial section of the Top Chef show!! It was freaky!!

Bogie's watching netflix too!

Blue Lagoon

Here are some of my underwater shots from Jamaica! Not very good, but it proves that I was there!

That's a big fish!!! My sweet husband!!

Easter on Parade!

I've been working on this, hand dyed, center section is hand painted, and machine quilted. It's not perfect, but I did do my corners better. I'm of the school, get it done, even if it isn't perfect. My seams are all 1/4 inch, and that part is done right. I'm honing my skills, I want to get on etsey pretty soon!!

Pics abound

Sounds like a lot of people had problems with pics on blogger. So I'll try today.

Lili and Brielle getting ready to ParaSail!!

The girls with one of their new found friends!

Bougainvillea - plants as tall as houses (our type of houses, not theirs)

A group of houses behind the craft market (which was imported from India and China t-shirts)

The tranquility of the island is fabulous - a sunset from our beach!!

Back to Reality

Well...... I'm back in the US, no more food prepared for us, no more lovely umbrella drinks, no more beautiful sandy beaches, no more reading in the middle of the day, no more looking at older, fatter sun burnt women with no tops!!
The Europeans are so much more freer (sp ?) with their bodies than us US citizens. Me, I had a one piece on, an athletic skirt over my big fat bottom, then when I left the beach I had a huge cover up on!! Ken said I needed to loosen up, me I feel a little left to the imagination is a good thing. Plus 46 year old skin that is starting to sag is just not pretty no matter what country you are from!!
We had a lovely time - the girls were delightful!! We giggled with them a lot, Brielle is adorable and so good for Lili, she loosens Lili up too!!
We stayed at Riu Negril. It was an all-inclusive resort. Apparently this is a big thing with the
Europeans, me I had never heard of such a thing. I was like being on a cruise, they feed you, they house you, they fulfill your liquid desires and you pay one price. The girls got massages, that was extra and Ken and I snorkeled one day, that was extra, otherwise all was paid for. Jamaica - no don't get mad at me if any of my "huge" fan base is Jamaican, but that island is dirty!! The people are so poor - granted I only saw from Montego Bay west to Negril (about an hour -and a half van ride each way but the trash 0n the side of the roads, was horrible. I would think for the sake of their economy which is based hugely on tourism, the government would make the citizens keep it clean. But whatever, we had a great time, but I would never venture out of a resort area if we go back. The people seemed to be so lovely, so happy and carefree, everything is "yea mon" Nobody is hurried about schedules or deadlines, maybe that has something to do with the readily available drug culture!! Ken was asked a few times if he needed any - he and I did venture into the Negril craft market. It rained so hard that the water in the street came up to my knees and let me just say this water was not CLEAN by any means!! Did I say we had a good time, we did - stay in a resort!! Maybe I am too uptight, naw, I'm perfect just like I am!!

Blogger is not taking my pictures, you just have to wait on those!!

Jamaica Baby!

Gone to Jamaica - back on Saturday 3/8/08
I'll be sipping umbrella drinks, toasting to all of you!!

A quick observation

It just dawned on me, all my fabrics look like the colors on those cute little umbrellas they put in drinks. Maybe.... it's cause I'm going to Jamaica in 4 days!! Hee, hee!!

To Dye For Part II

I've been playing with dyes again!! It is so windy here, my experiments dry in no time!!

Backin Out

I have completely become on old person. As I was playing with more dyes and just gabbing on the phone to CA at the same time, my back just completely started twisting (the muscles on the lower left side) I could honestly feel it just twist, as if I was a piece of wet laundry that needed wringing out!! I had to hang up the phone, and flayed on the hard floor trying to get some immediate relief. The floor part was great fun for Bogie who started slathering me with kisses. Anyhow, long story short I was a vegetable all day yesterday, watched cooking channel and pre Oscar stuff on tv all day. The Oscar dresses were all pretty, not a bad frock among them, hardly. Didn't like Daniel Day Lewis's wife's red tie straps or that horribly gaudy jewel thing on her dress. But, Daniel took away pretty George's Oscar so I could be a tad bias!! I am still on aleeve, the muscle is now sore like after a leg cramp, it's just amazing how the whole thing happened, wrench, twist and whamo, I'm down!! I must add, Tommy Lee Jones, Harrison Ford, nor Daniel Day Lewis are aging gracefully, but that George, he just gets prettier and prettier!! AAAAH what a man!!
Oh yeah, this is a quilt blog, well back permitting, maybe I will sew today a little!!

Saturday to Dye for!

We've had beautiful weather today. Ken got some new furniture for our sitting area down by the lake and it came today. We christened it with a glass of wine!! Other than that I've been dyeing, painting and coloring fabric all day. I have one clean hand, one hand that has gone "green" and a sweatshirt that looks a little blotchy!! My kitchen counter has a little extra color but it will come clean!! Here are my works of art:

my blue and greens

Easter colors

Not sure, but I love!!!

Quail and pathways

Drew is supposed to be coming over to cook us lasagna for dinner. Unless he gets a better offer than "parental units" it should be good!! If he ditches us, I guess it's Bomb Island Grill. Need to eat salads until Jamaica!!!

Family Family, Family

Up to my elbows in family, or I was. Suzie & Austin came in last Thrusday (Valentine's Day) to surprise our parents, then Uncle Bill, Shari, Denise and Little Miss Addie came and spent the day with all of us yesterday (Sunday). So we had a wirlwind of meals, pets, shopping, family funny stories, shopping for Austin - the Lego trip - two Birthday celebrations and did I mention food?? I am ready for salads, down time with Bogie and Starbucks, Bible Study and messing with textiles, oh yeah husband too!!

Our Gang

Austin begrudingly sharing Legos with Addie

Don't know if I mentioned yet, but my best friend - still in Calif - is having twins!! Yeah! She's made it past the three month marker- more Yeahs!! We are a little nervous - did I mention she's 46 and this is her first pregnancy?? Yikes - they are brave!! She's in great physical shape to her credit!! But Micheline has wonderful support from Casey (the proud Daddy) and her Mom, plus there is a friend Elizabeth close by, that knows all the routines. Micheline is going to stay working and make her own baby food - kudos to her!! I've told her about my favorite tv show, Kate & John plus 8!! She needs to watch them for pointers!!

I'm off to go play with fabric!!

Spring Forward

I made a small table runner for my table, but Starbucks immediately confiscated it for a napping mat! I received a large box of fabric samples from a friend who decorates hotels – all types of silks! I’m going to make Starbucks a bed out of a couple of those, Starbucks will be in high style! But I know he will still want to nap on something that's mine!

Center Piece with spring Daffodils
Side One with my hand dyeds and Kaffe's lucious fabrics
Side 2 All my hand dyeds

Ken gave my beautiful Purple flowers for our anniversary (13 yrs). We are not heavy celebrators, so no huge gifts just cards!! Plus we are going to chaperone Lili and her roommate for Jamaica in March. That’s gift enough, a week on the beach, with an umbrella drink!! Yeah!!

I'm off to sew! Can't wait for all these caucuses (sp??) to be over!!

Conchetta's skills

My Conchetta is vacuuming while I blog. Only in America!! I love it, I pick her up at the bus stop (aka her charging station), then I turn her on (push start) and away she goes, under the beds, in the bathrooms, over area rugs, and she does amazingly great on the hardwood floors that we have in most of the house!! She doesn't complain, doesn't need a uniform nor does she belong to a union, yeah!! So she is vacuuming and I am playing!! Not really, I'm cleaning other parts of the house, she doesn't do windows or toilets or laundry, so there!! I have to act like a housewife some of the time. Ken took Bogie to work for an hour or so this morning, he had extra work this week, then they went over to the State house grounds and walked. While they were there they passed a parade for somthing downtown. Conchetta is almost done, and the dryer just stopped, got to go fold clothes!! I will be back!!

AZ in photos

The Carrel Substation at the base of Superstition Mountain. The unit is 1/4 of the way done, it will supply a huge amount of electricity to Phoenix and the surrounding area.

Grand Canyon -thru my eyes

I have more pictures of the dedication to come, and more trip pictures, this is a preview!

I'm Back from AZ

WOW - AZ was amazing!! If the Salt River Project Dedication to my cousin Greg wasn't amazing enough, the day trip to the Grand Canyon (with snow I might add!) was awesome, then the 5 day drive home was full of events including a new serpentine belt in Dad's car in Monroe, LA!!

I have pictures coming, I'm still cleaning them up. I was apparently impressed with the view of the Grand Canyon via a view of a tree with the red rock!! Don't know what I saw there, but almost every picture has a tree??? We had snow all the way from Flagstaff, AZ to beyond Albuquerque, NM. It was about three days old and still beautifully white. We saw mule deer right in front of our car in Grand Canyon and lots of ravens and hawks.

Mostly, we got to visit with family in Arizona and be part of a great event for Greg. The dedication was first class and highly participated by family and employees of SLP. Hello to all my new fans at SLP, they found my blog and knew who I was before I got there!!
Pictures on next listing.

I came home to my sweet husband and a very happy dog and cat!! Starbucks is laying in front of the keyboard at this very moment, and Bogie is sleeping off the stress of getting a bath!! Ken is making Lobster Bisque soup, so all is back to normal.

A great trip in all!!

Off to AZ

Mom, Dad & I are off to Arizona. 10 days in the car, (here and back). Needless to say the I-Pod is charged and loaded!! We are going for a memorial dedication for my cousin Greg. He worked for Salt River Project and they are dedicating a new substation in his honor. He did lots of great things, all anonymously. Lots of good people in my family!! I've got quilting, reading and i-pod, plus my Dad starts driving around 4-5:00 AM!!! I'll be asleep until 8:00, so yes I'm bringing sweats, lots of sweats!! Hopefully, the weather will cooperate!! I'm not up to speed on travel blogging, so I may not post til I get back, around the 17th. So to my huge fan base, see ya soon!!

Lili's pink Converses

After Christmas Cleaning has Commenced!

The tree has started to come down, Christmas dishes are going up, Concetta is cleaning for me. Concetta is amazing. She doesn't require money for the bus, she isn't unionized, she doesn't require smoke breaks, she doesn't sass back, she's wonderful!! Her English is minimal, so she keeps quite. Concetta may not have a green card, but what we don't know won't hurt us!! I don't have to worry about her flirting with my husband!! (he does have a taste for tan, tight bodies!) Concetta is my new Roomba!! I love it, I'm blogging and she's cleaning!! Yeah!! Bogie is not jealous of her any more and has stopped barking at her. Starbucks gets up on a piece of furniture but is able to stay in the same room now as Concetta!! We had a lovely Christmas, hope you all did too!! Lots of family and good times by all. Happy New Year!!!

Concetta at work!!

Poor Lili, worn out from all her work!!

Beautiful Blown Glass Dish from Suzie & Austin in Calif!!

Synthetic Medication and Puppies

Thank you for the reason for the season!!

My family thanks you for synthetic medications, I'm almost back to my usually self!! (sarcastic and I'm the biggest fan of my humor, one of those that laughs the loudest at my own statements and jokes!!) My sweet Bogie apologizes for barfing on our bed (a rare shade of green) this morning!! Like two days before Christmas I have nothing to do but wash comforters and sheets also!!

Post Barfing Pic!!! Too much goose do and red southern clay that might have Lake Murray Clams in it!! Such a gross little dog, but he's soooo darn cute!!

Reindeer Catering Organization Skills

Not only do they cook, are computer savvy to the point of genius, are very generous with gifts, time and care, they are organized!! They had the entire menu (ingredients, extra dishes, the works) planed out on a spreadsheet!

something to ponder:: why do I never type these entries as if I have a brain in my head. Sometimes, you have to decipher my codes!! Maybe in a previous life I was a code breaker!!! Yeah that explains the like of grammar check in my head!!

The Other Allens Christmas

We did the other half of the Allens Christmas yesterday. We enjoy this day so much, not just for the food, but the company and the great influences they try to instill on us!! They outdid themselves yesterday!! All of the food is provided by Reindeer Catering. We gave them this name as they cook for us on Christmas as their gift to us!! They relay their love of organic, free range, farmer's market products to us. Yesterday's turkey was perhaps the best turkey I've ever had, and my Mom and Grandmother do and did great turkeys!! It was just so moist with no effort from the cooks!! Or at least they didn't reveal it!! Carrot souffle, if you know me at all you no I hate most any orange veggies, yams (yuk, carrots, double yuk) will not even try them in any fashion. But, as a courtesy to Morgan and a show of my utmost gratitude for their cooking, I put a dime size spot of Eric's dads secret carrot souffle on my plate. Morgan caught me and had me increase my portion to QUARTER size!! I put it off to the last item on my plate was cleared, including the corn kernel ice cream (they have no fear) and put the carrots on my fork, secretly pinched my nose, and swallowed. WOW, you couldn't taste the carrots, I went back for a large second helping, they were great. Only thing is we can't get the recipe, so I don't have to eat carrots still, unless the carrot souffle shows up a family gatherings again. This year, Reindeer Catering not only provided suburb food, but they expanded the repertoire to include entertainment!! They are both unbelievably proficient in the computer gadget fields, Eric making a nice living at it infact. They brought their WiII (spelling ??) We all had a smashing good time with that!! Bowling, Tennis, right in the cozy atmosphere of the living room!! I majorly can't play tennis, but the bowling I could do!! Also found out the Reindeer Catering has competitive streaks!! They played tennis so fast, I never even could keep up with the ball!! Needless to say fun times were had by all!!

Christmas gifts were amazing, I have a speaker system for my I-pod, watch people Bon Jovi is available for everybody's listening pleasure now!!!! Marty painted the most amazing ornaments for each of us!! All of our kids were present, which doesn't happen for often for us!! Fun, superb family memories. Thanks to everyone!!

Julie with her new man-friend, Jamie Oliver (her naked chef)

Reindeer Catering, getting very vicious with WiII game (again spelling ???)

The star of the show, the best - moist turkey I've ever had!!

My needs!

I need a full night of sleep in my own bed!!! (Without the orchestra noises from my husband)!) (His snoring, yawning while sleeping (?), his soft scratching of his left shoulder and the burping can drive a woman to drink!) Bless his heart, he's been overly stressed, due to previous wife and the things she thinks she deserves. Then his middle child had a ruptured gall bladder, after infection was down far enough, the dr got that mess out, removed another stone that had lodged into her Pancreas, just a mess!! She's ok now, trying to do better with food choices and less soft drinks. Then with our Christmas Party invitation list is growing by the minute, we have to keep getting out the good clothes and the fancy undergarments that keep everything tucked in. Some of the stuff just doesn't stay tucked on it's own anymore!! (some doesn't stay up where it used to be either!) The makeup session takes longer also, darker colors, to cover the darker bags, don't ja just wish we could airbrush in real life too (not just on photos!)
I'm half way done with Christmas decorating and may start the cards tomorrow!! The box that goes to Calif is ready for tomorrow, plus I have to renew my Driver's license this week!! Yuk!
Yesterday, did go to Asheville to the Grove Park Inn for their Annual Gingerbread Contest. Unbelievable what people think of to use as cake supplies!! The kids this year, amazing!!! We had a great pre show drink on the back porch in rockers looking at the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Then was saw the show, then we had lunch, after a bottle of Chardonnay from the Russian River (ooooh, the childhood memories there!!) we finally decided to head back down the mountain to Chapin. We went to the best party ever on Friday! Wealthy Gay People that have friends in the Ballet companies can throw the best parties. The house was amazing (amazing pronounced with lots of jazz fingers during the zzzz part) This is a link to the Charleston house which is bigger and grander, Wow! check the link out! http://www.charlottestcarriagehouse.com/index.html !!!! We hope we are on the invitation list to the 2008 Halloween party, the stories and pictures from 2007, are again wow with lots of Jazz fingers!! I'll have some pics tomorrow!!