I think I have it!

I think I finally have enough novelty prints to make the I Spy quilts I have been planning for so long. When I started collecting fabrics, I never realized that it would take so long or be so hard to find enough different prints. At least the quarter yard I bought of each will be enough to do several quilts in different sizes.

Lately, I have been in a bit of a slump. I have turned really, really lazy; even worse that usual. Not sure how I am going to get around it. I don't feel especially depressed, but I do feel lethargic. When I leave home it gets better, but when I am here...ugh! Maybe I actually miss Mom more than I thought. If that is the case it will be better next month. Mom is due home on April 3.

My youngest son and his lovely wife bought their first home and are due to move in at the end of this month. I am so happy for them!

They just did a report on the news about a driver killed recently. Turns out she was texting and driving and didn't notice the semi truck in front of her. Not a pretty sight and sad because it is so preventable.

I am getting over a really stupid cold. It really just affected my throat. My throat got scratchy; a little at first then quite a bit in the middle. It's so annoying because nothing helps it. But, it is getting better...I think.

Okay, just wanted to throw a couple of thoughts out here.

TTFN
Ginny

We're Home!

Herm forced me to get on the plane; darn it! I did NOT want to come home. We had the best time in Cancun. I love it there. We stayed at the Blue Bay Club Cancun. The resort is as far from the hotel zone as you can get. That means it was low key, peaceful, and perfect. I never knew I would like just laying on the beach so much. They have thatched roof umbrella shaped roofs that were perfect for me. I can't take the sun.

We liked it so well, we joined their vacation club. As members (actually the membership is with Premier by Original) we received VIP treatment and it was wonderful. I got so spoiled having someone bring me unlimited virgin pina coladas! I know, I know, I am a wuss! I don't drink, but they taste just as good without the booze. But, the bartenders kept repeating "no booze?" in stunned voices.

My right knee started acting up at the Cancun airport. We were in such long lines for immigration and customs. By the time we got to the hotel I was getting very cranky. They warn you about the time share people at the airport and Herm got pulled in for at least 45 minutes. I wasn't happy about standing around and there were no chairs or benches. But that was the only real bad experience I had.

On Saturday we went to Isla Mujeres; a lovely, small island near Cancun. You rent a golf cart there to see the whole island. They have the most beautiful colors on their homes. They were getting ready for Carnivale and there were floats loaded with dances everywhere. We had a great day.

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week they have dinner theater performances. They were fun takes on Disney themes. Monday was Pirates of the Caribbean, Wednesday The Lion King and Friday was The Little Mermaid. On Saturday they had a special Tribute to Micheal Jackson show. We really enjoyed the shows.

The food was wonderful! I tried new things and found I liked them. For instance: jicama (not sure if I spelled it right). A Mexican food vegetable that's taste and texture seemed to be a cross between a water chestnut and a raw potato. Tasty!

Blue Bay Club is not a new, elaborate hotel. But the staff more than makes up for that. The service was super and we will be going back next year. Okay, now to post a few photos and I will stop boring you.

TTFN,
Ginny

My Dear Husband's 60th Birthday Party

What a fun evening we have had! All of my husband's brothers and sisters (along with their spouses) and all of our children and grandchildren gathered at a local restaurant tonight to celebrate his 60th birthday. He is the oldest of 10 children, so his reaching 60 is a milestone.

Our favorite local party place is the Dorf Haus. A German restaurant in the tiny village of Roxbury. The owners and their staff are wonderful and helped to make things special. Herm's brother, Paul (the baby of the family), got everyone there. Paul's wife, Tina, made adorable little favors of tiny wine bottles filled with M&Ms. Tina also ordered a cake from a friend of hers. It was so neat, a singing fish with gummy worm baits in Oreo "dirt".

I ordered the entertainment. If you live within 200 miles of Madison, Wisconsin and need a singing telegram I have just the person. Her name is Catherine and she is know as the Banana Lady. She came as Nurse Nancy to make sure Herm was fit to celebrate such a big birthday. Hilarious! She even made balloon animals for the grandchildren. Herm and our son, Mike, had balloon birthday hats, too. Catherine has a number of characters that she does and she incorporates information about the person into her performance. And, of course, she gets the birthday person very involved in it as well. I will attempt to post photos here.

Monday morning we leave for Cancun; weather permitting. So, I will be out of touch for over a week. I'm a little afraid of internet withdrawal but, all in all, it should be a good thing. Nothing to do for a whole week but read and talk to Herm.

TTFN,
Ginny

Thank you!

Thanks for the kind comments and words of encouragement. Sunny, I have nothing BUT time. The question is why don't I get MORE done? Because I am lazy, that's why. I could be sewing a lot more, but I don't. It is time to get going though. My intentions are to make quilts for each of my children and their spouses in time for their anniversaries this year. I would also like to make a couple of other quilts for my sisters and my mom. We'll see how it goes. A couple of them will be lap quilts so should go together fairly quickly.

As usual I saw in the New Year all alone. Sigh! My husband and mother don't make it past 9 or 10 pm.

DH took me to a movie this weekend. We have so much fun when we go out! Went to see Avatar 3D. Um, I think I prefer 2D. It is cool to see the 3D but it doesn't have the intensity of color and sharpness of the 2D. I didn't think it was worth the extra money. I had the same problems with Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. The fuzziness of the 3D gives me a horrible headache. That said, I LOVED Avatar! The imagination of the piece was the best I have seen since Star Wars. More about Pandora please!

I did something toward cleaning out some of my "stuff" today. I searched the house for all the books on CD I have scattered all over. There are many sets missing discs, usually because I listened to them in the car and then in the house. Some are missing the jackets. So, I matched up all the sets I could and I am taking those to the second hand book store to get some credit to buy more books. My goodness! I had no idea there were so many! I love the books on CD for driving down to Chicago; especially when I am all by myself. Mom likes it, too, and it give us something to talk about when we are going somewhere. I even listen to them while I am sewing and stamping. I get more done when I have something to listen to. Time flies!

I have to admit that the craft room got a little messy over the holidays, but I am getting ready to go up there and put things away. Believe it or not, I was sewing right up to Christmas Eve. But I did get everything done and I am proud of myself.

The Miller Christmas Party was wonderful again this year. We have such wonderful traditions that make me happy I belong to this family. Santa comes every year for the little ones. My youngest granddaughter sat on his lap the whole time he was there! Thanks to Bob Gaumont for taking on Santa duty this year. Then we have a white elephant exchange. That is one of my favorite things we do. This year I got a gift box for my exchange. That's all. A gift box. My darling youngest son said, "Take our box, Mom. It is a really good one. It's the one with the curly red bow!". He got me!

Our family also does a charitable donation each year. Anyone who wants can write down the name of a charity and put it in the "hat". We also write down the amount we are willing to contribute. The best part is that this year my charity was drawn. I am proud to say that this year the Miller family donated $1040 to the St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, SD. DH and I have been donating to them ever since his father passed away. Dad was a supporter for a long time before that. I am proud to belong to this family.

Okay, goodnight! I have bored everyone enough now.

TTFN,
Ginny

Christmas 2009

The long awaited day has come and is almost over. What a wonderful day we have had! Everyone made it here safely, the food ended up being good, and we all got wonderful gifts.

My girls were thrilled with their quilts and the little ones with their "snuggies". There is a story that goes with the "snuggies". My youngest granddaughter wanted a zebra snuggie so bad, but they don't make them in kids' versions, the zebra ones that is. So grandma thought she would be clever and make her one. Could I find a pattern online that made sense? No. Could I find a pattern in one of the catalogs? No. So, I made a double layer fleece blanket that we have to call a snuggie. At first I couldn't find the zebra fleece in any of the stores. I finally found it online but wasn't sure it would come in time. It did come though and I got the "snuggie" made in time and she loves it! Contained in this post are photos of all the children with their blankets. Little grandson liked his "roads" snuggie. Especially when he found the wide satin ribbon loop I attached on the back for him. The moment I showed it to him he started rubbing it and the other thumb went right in the mouth. So cute!

I got everything I wanted for Christmas. My family home, loving each other and peace reigning in my home, (now that little grandson is in bed, tee hee). I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

As a final note, youngest granddaughter just said "my snuggie doesn't have SLEEVES". So much for little kids not being aware of things.

TTFN
Ginny

Don't Faint

Don't faint! But, I have completed both quilts! They are far from perfect; the bindings are not the best, but they are completed. This has to be a first for me. Finished and on time. I think I am going to faint. Now I can hardly wait for Christmas!

I still have to sew two fleece blankets for the babies but that I should be able to do in a day or so. And they will be sewn instead of tied. I can just see the little guy untying them just for fun.

This past weekend I went to Chicago to babysit the littlest ones. My DD and her hubby went to the Bears/Packers game. DD is, of course, a Packers fan and had to sit in the middle of a group of Bears season ticket holders. They had a great time and I really enjoyed watching the babes.

I will post photos of the quilts here and then I am going to sign off until after Christmas. I hope everyone has a happy, healthy holiday season.

TTFN,
Ginny

Getting There

So, I actually finished the purple quilt! The binding was a little harder than I expected and I'm just a little nervous about binding the second one. Procrastinating royally is more like it. I really need to get going so I can finish in time. But, I have until Christmas evening, so....! LOL I am waiting for an order of fleece to come in so I can do a blanket for youngest granddaughter's gift. Of all things she wants a zebra snuggie! It was impossible to find the zebra fleece locally so I had to order online. Sure hope it gets here in time!

Mom had the surgery a week ago to remove the hardware from her elbow. She is doing well and I take her in tomorrow to get the staples out. She is using the arm very well and we hope she'll be able to finally put the accident behind her.

I had the most wonderful chat with DH tonight. He told me that he thought I was "gorgeous" when he met me. If he weren't sick with a cold I would kiss him to pieces. I love that he felt that way as I have always thought of myself as plain.

Okay, enough smarmy stuff. Don't have much else to say except goodnite!

TTFN,
Ginny