Thursday, March 26, 2015

Quilting ...Bug... Rocking K


Whew what a week. Fun, Laughter, lots of Quiltin going on, a little wine or a lot depends on your definition and good friends. We all
arrived about the same time at Las Fuentas  Mexican Restaurant in LaGrange for a bite of dinner and a margarita Saturday the 14th. Once dinner was over  Me and 12 of my besties were headed to RR Retreat by Margie for a quilting retreat. Our cars were loaded down with more material and projects than we could ever finish but you never know so it all had to come.
We unloaded our cars and set up our sewing area and immediately started sewing cutting and pressing. I had several games and prizes to play and win for the week. I had the Margie tape a tag on the bottom of a chair and on the 2nd day I had everyone turn their chair over to see who the winner was. I didn't know which chair was the winner either except I thought I checked Donna's chair.  Well the winner was Donna of Donna's Lavender Nest and she was the one who donated this prize. So then we had to have a drawing for the prize.
For a little distraction we took a field trip to Smithville to a new Quilt shop called Making Memories Quilt Shop and then over to Giddings to All Around the Block Quilt Shop. I mean a quilter can never have too much fabric. The new shop in Smithville is semi small but has room to grow and they are really friendly, helpful and generous. If you're in the area you need to go check them out. And of course All Around the Block quilt shop just goes on forever with fabric. They have something for everyone.

This is one fantastic group of gals. Unfortunately when we took this picture the sun was blinding us.  Oops! Never a dull moment with these gals.


We welcomed to new retreaters with us this time. Pam and Carla R. Yep that makes 2 Carla's and we have 3 Donna's.. Everyone completed at least one quilt top but most complete more. Tuesday night one of the girls, Ellen started feeling bad and she went to bed early but all was good by the next morning. Well at least for her. Right before lunch one of the girls Denise tells me she's not feeling well. What I didn't know was how bad she really felt until later that evening.  And by dinner time another retreater didn't feel well and she headed to bed early. What the heck is going on.....???


Here's a few pictures of the good times.  If you want to see more pictures you can click HERE








An Ellen creation

Texas Blocks

To the right is Carla R and her finished top









Below are blocks for Pam B. Quilt top


A great finish for Sandy.










From these 10" Squares AKA Layer Cakes Donna V. created the below
using a unique sew and cut then sew and cut again etc method 




Several of the girls took a crayon coloring block class from Margie of RR Retreats


As you can see it was taken on St Patty's Day.
One of our leprechauns joined the class.

I finally finished Jaxon's quilt based on Dalen Keys book "Just a Quilt". Started 2 years again









And here is my Aggie quilts I finished using the tumbler block from Accuquilt Go. Sew simple but the quilting from Donna Moore @ Donna's Lavender Nest. is the perfect finish.

Connor's Quilt  - no flower quilting motif This one has a scroll motif 

Kate's Quilt and floral quilting motif

Snapped a picture of Retreat owner Margie setting up the salad area for dinner one evening. Can't not mention that she feeds us really well and she's a great cook.
She had to leave us one night in the hands of her helpers and I saw her note that "You fix it they will come" I cracked up laughing because she is so right. No one wants to miss any of her meals. Oh and I can't forget her awesome tasty deserts at every meal. YUM YUM


And another great treat ...The sunsets






Our youngest retreater Megan advanced from making simple fleece quilts to piecing together a really cute top


She did a great job making points and corners match.
This picture was taken before she added sashing.

She was almost finished when her mother yells very nonchalant "Oh Shit I just cut my finger off".



Now I didn't take her serious until I looked up and saw all the blood. Okay this is not how I want our retreat to end. I jump up and get to looking for her finger thinking I'm looking for a
 huge chunk. I'm looking and can't see anything and I'm going Ellen how much of the finger am I looking for. Crap I can't find it! Ellen calming goes "look on the rotary cutter and sure enough there is the pad to her finger. Ewww what to do with it. Any size of finger cut off is not good and I wasn't sure if the hospital could do anything with it but we took it anyway. The whole time Ellen is remaining calm and putting ice on her finger and wrapping it up. Her daughter is our youngest retreater runs and  grabs her purse, keys and her Mom's purse and we head out the door at 11pm to the hospital. Ellen is treated by being given a tetanus shot and some antibiotics and I believe one stitch with heavy duty Tylenol. We get back to the retreat after  at around 2:45am. 
She had Megan take a picture while they are in the treatment room but not of the actual side of the finger missing. She cut the pad of her finger off that just missed the bone.
At about 8:30am Thursday the 19th I hear Ellen going Good Morning ladies. She was up and perky. The finger was all bandaged up in it's goth black bandages.



We could have used one of these but we finished most of our wines up by Tuesday besides being really tired after the run to the hospital ER. Really glad none of us had been drinking when the accident happened and had to drive.
Oh and for those folks who don't sew this is a rotary cutter that has a super sharp blade
Unfortunately Donna was still feeling bad and left early to go home. Denise felt some better but tired. At this point I was just hoping no one else got sick. Unfortunately I did get a text from one of the other girls that she got the stomach bug later Thursday night after she got home. By the time the weekend rolled round I still felt okay and no one else had texted me so I thought the rest of retreaters had avoided the bug or so I thought......................


Rocking K Farm bound.
I woke up Sunday feeling so so but was ready to ride up to the farm with David. 
He loaded up the zero turn mower so he could try and mow. We sure couldn't mow at home. This is what our yard was looking like just 3 days prior.
David got the mower stuck twice the yard is so wet.

LOL it wasn't much better at the farm. He almost got stuck a few times up front and then when he 

tried mowing the area to the right of the barn he sunk real good.  So much for mowing. He still had the trailer hooked up so he backed it down the hill and we attached a tow strap to the mower and trailer and pulled it out. He almost got the truck stuck when trying to position the trailer in line with the mower. He gave up. Before cleaning up the mower I got on and learned to drive it. I'm ready to help mow now when things are dry. We cleaned up the mower and he parked in the barn. 
While mowing David had about 3-4 bunnies jump out of the tall grass and hop for the fence line. I only saw this one. 

He also saw a tiny tiny little field mouse running for his life across the tall mounds of grass.
Yep We're in the country.
While sitting in our rocking chairs the Milan Cty Sheriff rolled up our driveway. Uh Oh we're in trouble now. Not really he was looking for a cow that the railroad had reported standing next to the tracks. Not ours. While he was standing there talking to us David asked if it was okay to shoot guns on our property and the deputy told us sure that's the benefit of living in the country as long as we didn't shoot toward traffic, neighbors house or the tracks. No problem with that. The sheriff bid us a good day and down the road he went.
We decided to walk down to the pond to feed the fish. The really big fish. Had to be careful because it was really wet and soggy down there. Fun! I need some rain boots for the farm. David had the gun with him just in case we saw a long slithery creature.  When we finish feeding the fish David asked if I wanted to shoot the 357 magnum. Yeah but uhhh not sure. I was afraid of the recoil from the gun. I figured with my luck it would throw my hand up and the gun would fly into the pond behind us. I let David shoot first. Damn that thing is loud. Made my ears ring. So I took my turn and it wasn't so bad. We didn't have targets we were just shooting into the big mound of dirt from when the previous owner dug out and made the pond bigger. 
On Tuesday the 24th at 2 am it hit me. Hence why the girls at work felt I needed an appropriate name for this post. I got the stomach virus. NO FUN! I haven't gotten back to a 100% yet so my goal of getting this post done right after the retreat and weekend didn't happen.

My
2015 UFO's Update

last 2 handmade items from FB post. Finished 3 of 5
Jaxon's quilt - put on last sashing, at quilters, ready for binding
2 flannel baby quilts - one ready for binding, one heading to quilters
Sandy's memory quilt - bought fabric, photos ready, need a good pattern
Texas Flag quilt - red and white section ready, work on blue blocks
Antique Sue Bonnet Sue quilt - at quilters 

Pamela's quilts
  • #1 in process for guest room, center section done, piecing border blocks heading to the quilter
  • #2 t-shirt quilt
  • #3 black/white/teal
  • #4 kit we bought in Missouri a few years ago
Aggie Quilts - One was done until I had to rip out the borders
Nickies Tshirt quilt

Mom's 
  • flannel quilt - pieced, add applique
  • fleece quilt

Ongoing projects
  • postcards
  • bookmarks
  • mug rugs 
  • read. Where o' where is my reading mojo? grrrr
Allan's quilt - fabric bought
Phi Mu auction quilt - fabric bought

valances
  • den
  • breakfast room
  • dining room
  • master bath
Hobo Quilt - picking up fabric
Bible Quilt - fabric bought, 1 block
Special Quilt for a special grandma (JLK)
Open a pattern I bought and and make it

Got home from Book club meeting tonight. Tonight we discussed an interesting book called "Raising My Rainbow" by Lori Duron. The book is about raising her son who is gender nonconforming. It was a great night. I'm gonna go find her blog and follow this family and their journey. General consensus was the book was worth reading and provides lots of conversation. 

Well that's it for now. I'm sure you're bored by now
Until next Blog Post....Whoever is happy will make others happy too. ~Anne Frank






Friday, March 13, 2015

Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate



Me, Leonard, Ashley and Samara
We're always ready for fun around the office if it's possible. February 27th was declared rodeo day so everyone dressed accordingly.
Kia our receptionist, Me and Ashley

Wednesday night the 4th David and I went to Main Street Crossing in Tomball with our friends the Ragans to listen to a country billy group called "Two Tons of Steel"  They are awesome. Almost before they finish one song they transition into the next song. Their sound makes your toes start tapping and ready to dance. Check out the bass player Jake. He taught himself out to play.

Celebrated Pam's birthday on the 2nd,
 then Lilley's 5th birthday on the 4th 
and then mine on the 5th. 
Pamela came home so we could celebrate together. She got home on my birthday Thursday and we both had hair appointments. Pamela and I both have lots of hair and we give Brittany a work out coloring and cutting our hair. And as my hair gets longer it takes her even longer to color. But she does a great job. If you're in the Tomball area and you need a good color and/or cut call Trendsetters on 249 and ask for Brittany.

I love the people I work with. They made me feel very special. They decorated my cubical, boss provided breakfast food, another supplied OJ and fruit and another brought a cake. 
I felt like a princess. Crown and all LOL. This crown came from the rodeo a couple years back and has come in handy for birthdays. 


A picture was snapped of the inventory boss Leonard with the crown on for his birthday. 

Thank goodness he is good natured and ready for fun but then I may still get shot for posting his picture now



Since it was my birthday Thursday the 5th David said we could go out to eat at Gringos. Yum. We did have to wait for a table but not long. I hadn't even finished my first margarita when we got seated. Now their margaritas really are potent. I hesitated when he asked if I wanted another but I figured what the hell it's my birthday. We had the waiter of all waiters. He was prompt and funny. Very funny. His name was Cortney and he goes yes that is the name on his drivers license. He was talking to the people behind us about his momma when he started talking about his momma being really old.  Really old?
Now I'm looking at this young man thinking she can't be older than me. So damn I must be really really old. So I turned and asked him just how old his momma is and he says she's really old again. Again I asked what is he calling really old.... finally he goes 59. We all start laughing and he goes she older than you and that's when I inform him I'm really old like his momma. His come back was I had just turned 59 and she's been 59 a long time. LOL.  Silly Boy. After the 2 margaritas I was still able to walk to the car but I did have a buzz. I must be getting used to them because the first couple of times I had 2 I couldn't get off the curb of the side walk. It was too high. LOL
The waiter comped me and Pamela each an ice cream to go with our margarita's. Yum




Friday night we left Pamela with the dogs while David and I headed out to the La Torretta Resort and Spa on Lake Conroe for a weekend of wedding adventures. I might have felt bad about leaving her but she had plans with one group of friends on Friday and another group of friends on Saturday. And I do believe from the stories she had plenty of fun without us.

Any way Friday night for us was the Welcome Dinner with family and friends honoring the Avni and Matt the bride and groom. The meal was Mexican food with a couple of Indian dishes available and an open bar. Matt is the son of one of the Bell Gang members. The first Bell gang wedding for an offspring. I'm sure there will be more to come as time rolls on. There was one other Bell Gang member there on Friday night but more were to arrive tomorrow.
 In case you've forgotten the Bell Gang consists of David's friends who he grew up with and worked at Taco Bell.  
My husband wore a tire that night that 
only he could pull off.
 Several walked up and said "love your tie" and then they saw what was really on it.  They laughed, shook their head and said "Only you David could pull this off"

Breakfast was served at 7am Saturday morning of which I passed on. When my alarm went off I told David I didn't think I cared to go to breakfast. I was tired. But by 8:20 I was up and dressing for the wedding that was to begin around 9:15-9:30am. We made our way down to the lobby to find the grooms procession gathering. What I haven't shared with you is that this was a traditional Indian wedding (brides side) followed by a brief Christian ceremony and ring exchange for the grooms side.
At 9:30am the music and drums began and the grooms procession began. Hands in the air waving down the pathway to the alter by the lake. Made me think of the new cartoon movie where the little alien is going.. "my hands are in the air and waving like I don't care".  And Yep this wedding was outside. Weather 43 degrees,light breeze (just enough to bring the chill factor down) no sun and no rain.
 The groom, bride, and family were in traditional Indian dress. So they had plenty of skin showing for the ladies. The Hindu priest was very informative giving us westerners a break down of what was going on and directing the Groom, Bride and their family what to do as the ceremony progressed.





The Grooms parents Pam and Kevin all decked out.

Did I mention that the priest was also funny. He made sure the photographers took plenty of pictures and if he wanted a particular picture he'd pose Avni and Matt and would go "hey buddy take a picture". 





The flowers were beautiful. Large rose arrangements were at the end of every 2 or 3 rows of chairs and a path of rose petals on each side of the pathway that the bride would walk down. The bride was beautiful and the groom was handsome.
There were 3 Bell Gang members with their wives present at the wedding. Two other members misunderstood and didn't make the actual wedding but would show up for the reception that would begin at 7pm that night and one Bell Gang member was out of town. During the wedding one of the guys phone started talking. It was funny because he couldn't figure out how to shut it up. The whole time his wife was going just sit on it..You know how when your phone is in your pocket you never seem to hear it and that's what she was hoping for.  LOL  It was one of those moments where you had to be there to get the full effect..
After the wedding ceremony we waited for lunch to be served. A traditional Indian lunch from the region of India that Avni's family was from. No clue what we were actually eating but I tried a little of everything. Some of which I really liked and some not so much but it was an awesome experience.
  You know the saying it doesn't take a rocket scientist.... Well maybe not but the grooms grandparents were true Rocket Scientists. The both worked at NASA. They had some great stories. The picture is of the grandmother and one of the stories she told us was about the monkey they sent into space. How they would reward the monkey with banana's and fruit every time he performed the proper task. Only when the monkey came back to earth and they offered him a banana he threw it back at them. We figured the Monkey was saying "Aww Hell No you ain't sending me back up there!"  
We sat around the table talking, catching up and laughing for almost 2 hours after we finished eating then we went back to the room to take a nap. Well some of us did. Two of the gals, Kathy and Lisa went bird watching and saw a bald eagle. How cool is that!
That evening at the Wedding Celebration (reception) all but one of the Bell Gang members was present.  It was party time. Open bar and lots of dancing music. And of course when David and all his buddies get together there's always entertainment and lots of laughter.
We cleaned up nicely if I do say so myself.



Meet the Bell Gang
Kevin (grooms dad), Gary, David, Fred, Carter & Billy


And their wives
Denise (Gary)
Kathy (Fred)
Lisa    (Carter)
Pam (grooms mother) (Kevin)
Me     (David)
Cheryl  (Billy)


What a great group! We missed Tommy and MaryBeth but this group carried on.. lol
We got up Sunday and had breakfast with Carter and Lisa before checking out and heading home. My throat was starting to feel that tickle that makes you cough and thought Oh No this can't happen there's more to come and I can't get sick.

That evening David took Pamela and I to the Taste of Texas for our birthdays. Mouth watering good. Tender steaks, awesome salad bar and family time. We only make it to the Taste of Texas on our Birthday and Anniversary. David's wallet can't afford us going every time we turn around but that's okay because then it wouldn't be a special treat. We all went home with our tummies full and satisfied.
Oh and I almost forgot to mention who we saw at the hotel.....
I was sitting in the car while David checked us in on Friday and started noticing there was a lot of men and women in red. And the men all had white beards................................
OMG it's Santa Santas. Yes plural. Lots of them. It was the Lone Star Santa Convention. I've never seen so many Santa's in one place.
They were singing Rudolf and Jingle Bells in this picture.



Great ending to the week except for the tickle in my throat. Please don't let me be getting sick.

I have a trip planned.

Until next blog post....When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses. Joyce Brothers