I wrote this in 2011. Wow. We've taken some wonderful trips since then, my friend. I'll be thinking of you today -- and looking forward to a complete Birthday Report!!
********************
Happy Birthday, Marion! We have taken some awesome trips. I often think you and I discovered New York City....still one of my favorite places to go. And we loved Sedona, Arizona -- even though I never got the hang of meditation. Remember our drive down the Oregon coast? Visits in both Canada and Iowa. The best road trip I ever took was our time in upstate New York -- remember lunch at the CIA?
Today, on your birthday, I'm going to post some pics from our most recent trip -- the HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR in Chicago...
Actually, this picture is from an earlier trip to Chicago -- it was the first time I took pictures of the Hey Rita tote to tell the story of my travels...here, in Lord & Taylor's...she fit right in with the mink coats...
And we always visit museums....I can't leave the Art Institute without seeing American Gothic...
This is us, eating breakfast at the James Hotel. OH MY GOD...The things I've learned with you, my friend. EVEN THOUGH YOU ALREADY KNEW ABOUT POPOVERS....The presentation at the James was so sophisticated -- brought hot, to the table, in a little stainless steel pot...
Yes, it was a life-changer...
You just NEVER know what's gonna happen on any given day, y'know?? During our Chicago vacation -- they were filming the "Transformers" movie downtown. Everything looked all tore up -- like a bomb had gone off. There was crew everywhere...the movie hasn't come out yet...
Here's a picture of you -- walking in beautiful downtown Chicago. You are hard to keep up with on a normal day -- but when it got to 100 degrees...yikes...SLOW DOWN, BABE...
Last week, it was 20 degrees BELOW zero here in Iowa. I know it wasn't that cold in Canada -- but I understand why you went to Florida!!
Happy Birthday, Marion! You live in the moment better than anybody I know...and I hope there is a delicious chocolate cake on your plate today. In honor of your birthday -- I'm going to make popovers -- AND I can hardly wait to see where we go in 2011...
Whenever we have overnight guests, I de-kid the little room in the back of the house. I was thinking the other day how GRATEFUL I am for this little room...
Although it is the smallest room in our house, it is the space that makes everything else work. Over the years, it has been that place that morphed into whatever we needed AT THAT MOMENT...and it gave us options.
When we first moved into this house, in July 1981, that little bedroom was Elliott's nursery. I brought him home and laid him down in that little room across the hall. As God is my Witness -- he never slept more than 20 minutes at a time in that crib. When he was two years old, we eagerly moved him upstairs into a bunk bed with his brother Ross.
So, in 1983, the room became my sewing room. I was DELIGHTED to have a dedicated space -- as I was VERY busy with my personalized cabbage patch doll business. Remember that frenzy?
I made over 100 cabbage patch dolls and sold them. It was a profitable little business and my dolls were AMAZING. I made cheerleader dolls for West High School, and I once cut up an Army uniform to make a doll for the child of a soldier, serving at the Rock Island Arsenal...Without the internet, I don't remember where or how I sold them...but I could hardly keep up with the orders...and I was often stuffing dolls at 3:00 AM...
Then, a few years later -- both boys were in school, and I opened up Rita's Sew Fun -- a FABRIC STORE. Because now I was working with fabric all day long, and sewed samples at the STORE -- I no longer had the time or desire to do it at home. So the little room became an office...where John and I (unbelievably) -- shared a computer!!
That was okay. For awhile. But, eventually, the desktop became John's computer, and I worked on a laptop...usually sitting in my Lazyboy...situated in the living room. That's how I wrote my first book, "Life Is Not A Dress Size"...published in 1996.
After I sold the store -- I was traveling A LOT. The little room became John's den -- complete with deer heads hanging on the walls...
By the 2000's -- both Ross and Elliott moved out of the house. That opened up the large, sunny upstairs bedroom for John's office. The little room once again became my sewing/embroidery room. I was working for Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine, and I needed a space for both my computer AND my embroidery machine.
For a time, the little room became an unused catch-all. John had his big room upstairs, and I was working on my laptop. ..
Lilly was born in 2009.
My cousin Jackie helped me clear out the room, get rid of the office stuff...(I burned a perfectly good antique oak desk that was TOO HEAVY to move)...
It became known as "Lilly's Room"...
My cousin Linda helped me to hang shelves, and we painted a tall metal shelf to hold Lilly's many outfits...
I used starch and cut-up pieces of fabric to decorate the one wall...
Although Lilly and Warren usually take turns spending the night, the little room had just enough room for a twin bed and a Pack 'N Play...so if they were both sleeping over, we could make it work.
I bought the bright quilt at Nancy's Sewing Weekend two years ago -- and I'm using it to make up the guest room for Mary.
***************************** The Monday weigh-in: 262. Yikes. I AM LOVING THIS!!
Mary arrived on Thursday, and I did my best to write some blog posts BEFORE she arrived. But, if there is a bit of a lapse, that simply means I'm too busy living my life to write about it...
This post was SUPPOSED to come up on Saturday -- the day I had planned to take Mary to Iowa City. I put Anne in charge of our Iowa City adventure...AND IT ALL WENT VERY, VERY WELL. (Except that this blog didn't publish as planned.)
Anyway -- As you know -- in preparation for Mary's visit, I took scores of bags, FULL OF STUFF, to the Goodwill Stores, or Salvation Army locations in Bettendorf, Clinton and Davenport. Depending on what I was doing on a particular day -- I delivered bags full of recycled treasure to six thrift stores in two counties...
The house looks great.
But here's the problem....
When Mary comes for a visit -- we do lots of thrift store shopping...and I COULD VERY EASILY END UP BUYING BACK MY OWN JUNK... it almost happened to me once last week...
So, I've decided we need to drive an hour away to do our shopping...at least as far as Iowa City.
You NEVER know what kind of treasure we might find in our travels.
Sometimes, we even run into people we know at our favorite thrift stores.
This vintage velvet cloak inspired a new sewing pattern!
Oh, yeah, now that I have more room to put stuff -- THERE WILL BE SOME TREASURE HUNTING GOING ON...
And if I have to drive to another state to do it -- well, then -- SO BE IT..!
WE DID IT...Iowa City did NOT DISAPPOINT. Besides having a kick-ass university, and a world-class hospital -- Iowa City, Iowa is the thrift capitol of the world. WE HAD A GREAT TIME...
Since going to Fat Camp, I have more energy -- and I am NO LONGER SITTING IN MY CHAIR for six hours at a time.
I get up and I DO THINGS. And it really feels good! The other day, while waiting for John at the doctor's office, instead of sitting in the waiting room...I went outside and walked around the building. UNBELIEVABLE.
Like Swimfit at the YMCA two or three times a week... I also work on projects, spend time with the kiddos, and I have become a CLEANING AND CLEARING machine!!
But there is more to my new LET IT GO attitude...
Last month, my young friend Anne was in town, working on the year-long project of clearing out her childhood home. A HUGE house, full of furniture, clothes, household stuff, antiques, collectibles and treasure from at least four generations of various families. It is a daunting task...and there is no way to accomplish this huge job except to JUST DO IT. Every chance she gets, Anne makes the one hour trip and puts in a full day of sorting, cleaning, and clearing out.
Anne with her daughter Sarah at Nancy's 2015 Sewing Weekend
Anne has plowed through decades of stuff...stored in the attic, the bedrooms, the basement. Whenever possible, she gave things to other family members. She also filled a huge dumpster several times. Mostly, she's made dozens of trips to the Salvation Army and/or the Goodwill Store. She also took some things to the local auction house. She had to make a decision about every single item she picked up....IT HAS BEEN AN ENORMOUS JOB...
One day, Warren and I went to have lunch with Anne, and I was completely awed by this overwhelming task she'd been given. She's been going at it for months, but in a very uncomplaining tone, she said, "I've touched and considered every single thing in this house. Doing this is the last gift I can give to my parents."
I thought about that all the way home. And all the stuff I have acquired...and how little Ross or Elliott knows about any of it. And how little they care. Who could blame them? It's so disorganized...just boxes and tubs of random junk...all mixed together...
After I die, I'm pretty sure they'll take one look at my lifetime collection of stuff and the only way they're going to touch it will be with a blow torch....
So -- thanks for the inspiration, Anne. ME cleaning out my own stash is my gift to my boys...
You would not believe all the stuff I've been getting rid of lately.
No -- I mean it -- really -- I can't believe it myself -- so I know YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE IT.
I've been going through my lifetime stash of fabric -- and my pathological collection of t-shirts, purses, totebags, shoes, belts....
Two months ago, I had to climb around boxes and bags to move even a few feet in my basement. Now -- YOU CAN SEE THE POOL TABLE. And -- NEWSFLASH -- THERE IS A FLOOR.
HOLY COW..!!
I've taken bags and bags to the Salvation Army...and every week, I also set out five or six bags of garbage to be picked up. Pieces of fabric and sleeves from t-shirts...cut up bits from a lifetime of Frankensewing...
After I went through everything, purging the no-longer-desirables -- I went back and purged again. For the second round, I used a method from the Hoarder's Show -- If I wanted to KEEP a t-shirt, I had to GET RID OF TWO. Youza. It was amazing how easy it was to do.
For the first time in decades...I was IN THE MOOD. and it felt good!! Because my collection was so big, it was getting in the way of my life.
Like Anna in the movie Frozen -- it was time to LET IT GO...!!
Hummm...just like the weight??
Oh, yeah -- I am definitely ready to LET IT GO...
I was feeling so good about my progress -- I decided to tackle my lifetime obsession with BOOKS. Yep. For every book I KEPT, I had to get rid of TWO. I took boxes and boxes of books to the Goodwill store.
Hey -- nobody is more surprised than me by this sudden urge to purge.
Although I credit Fat Camp for my increased energy and can-do attitude -- that's not the whole story...
The Splendid Sampler™ Wednesday
(...skip this part if you're not new here...)
The Splendid Sampler™ is an internet sew-a-long created by Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson. It is an EPIC sew along...
83 fabric designers have created specific blocks that feature
different quilting techniques. (paper piecing, fused applique, etc.).
The blocks will be released each week, and are FREE to participants
until March 2017. (at that time, they'll use the designs to publish a
book).
You can use whatever fabric you like.
There will be pictures on their Facebook page, etc.
The new block designs come out twice a week....on Sunday morning and Thursday morning. I'm doing this with my TMBC...and, therefore, it is my pleasure to BLOG ABOUT IT every Wednesday. *******************
Although I started off strong -- I haven't kept up with the weekly blocks -- AT ALL. I won't make any excuses -- but I have printed off every block and my plan is to eventually do enough blocks to put together a quilt. I love reading the Facebook page, and checking on the progress of other Splenderites...and I am always SO EXCITED to see how Sandy and LP intrepreted the weekly block designs. Our Splendid Sampler Sew-and-Tell has been a very big part of our TMBC parties. It is interesting to see their different takes on the same pattern. Sometimes, it's hard to believe they're using the same set of directions.
Both Linda and Sandy KEPT UP with every single design...which makes them SEWING ROCK STARS by any measure.
LP does doubles every week...
When the blocks are done, her work will just be beginning...
This is the worst picture of Sandy EVER...!!
Such a sweet sewing machine design.
LP -- our mother of twins. She's used to doubles of everything
LK has been doing A LOT OF SEWING lately. This was her Grateful Dead pillowcase. Ever since she figured out the burrito method, she has been ON FIRE!
LK took a fiber arts collage class -- and she was inspired!!
LIKE THAT WASN'T ENOUGH -- LK played around with some foundation piecing...And we loved what she did with her collection of batiks...
Me? Well -- I did some retail shopping at Four Seasons!! Pitiful, I know...
GUESS WHAT?? MARY AND I have been invited to present our ALL NEW MIDWEST YA YA SISTER SHOW at the Nancy's 2017 Sewing Weekend in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. I AM SOO EXCITED!!
It will be here before you know it -- so you should start making your plans. May 4-6, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. They don't have our picture up on the website (yet) -- but I'm sure WE'RE GOING TO BE THERE.
It's the BEST GIRLFRIEND WEEKEND you can imagine!!
It is such a wonderful event!! I absolutely love going to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin for Nancy's Sewing Weekend.
They hang a wonderful quilt show.
Mary is coming on Thursday -- and we'll go shopping with the TMBC for some new projects and ideas.
The best part of Sewing Weekend is that they OPEN THE WAREHOUSE!!
The last time we did our presentation in Beaver Dam, Judy and Chris (the Ya Ya Stalkers) came all the way from Portland, Oregon!!
Mary is coming to Iowa this week -- and we will be building our ALL NEW SEMINAR...
Although -- I ALREADY KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA DO...and I'll be posting about that later in the week...
I pick Mary up at the Madison airport -- and then we drive the scenic hour to Beaver Dam.
We are looking forward to hanging out with Mike...
And doing some WAREHOUSE shopping of our own!!
John makes sure everybody gets on the buses -- to be taken all around town to the various locations...
GO FOR IT!! YOU DESERVE IT! Sewing, laughing, learning, visiting with your old friends -- making some new ones.
IT JUST DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS, PEOPLE..!!
The good news is that I'm still hanging in there. I've changed my eating habits and I'm MOVING MORE...getting back on my treadmill and going to the Y two or three times a week for Swimfit class...
Hummm, actually -- there is no bad news.
But it took me a long time to get this fat -- and it's going to take a long time to lose all that weight...
And I'm okay with that. I'm just glad I took that first step...
I weigh myself once a week -- MONDAY MORNING -- and I make myself write down the number. Here. On this blog. Just that one time. Then, I mostly get on with my week...
Because I really don't want this to be about the number. I'm that girl -- remember? "LIFE IS NOT A DRESS SIZE" is my mantra. The credo of my life...
So I don't have daily conversations with my friends and family about what I'm eating or how much I weigh.
BECAUSE I WANT MY LIFE TO BE ABOUT SOMETHING MORE THAN THAT...
But many of you have been very supportive...and CURIOUS. So -- these self-indulgent Monday blog posts are about this particular journey -- and what's working for me. Because, honestly -- if I can lose weight -- ANYBODY CAN DO IT.
When I signed up for Fat Camp, I was 67 years old and weighed 300 pounds. As you get older, it's harder to lose weight. Mostly because your metabolism slows down, and for many reasons you're not so good at the moving anymore...Conn (my ex-Marine trainer) told me I was not his fattest client, nor his oldest client...but, if there was an algorithm putting those two numbers together, I would be at the top of his list. (the list titled, "Least Likely To Succeed")
Yet -- here I am. I've lost over 30 pounds. I have completely changed my eating habits and I'm exercising.
For many years, I used this quote, "We are all a product of our habits, be they good or bad."
But
when I tried to look it up -- I can't find either the quote or the
source. So maybe I was the first person to actually think that thought or
say those words?? I dunno...but I believe the words are true...and nowadays I am all about changing my habits.
A former bad habit: I'd wake up at 8 am, make a pot of coffee, then get on my computer. For hours. I always skipped breakfast, and often didn't eat until 3:00 or so.
My New HABIT: I get out of bed and EAT BREAKFAST with my first cup of coffee. An egg muffin sandwich, oatmeal or yogurt and fresh blueberries...and I enjoy every bite. So delicious!!
The point is that I make choices, every single day. And those daily choices become my habits. And I am a product of my habits -- be they good or bad.
I'm enjoying my new habits...And I am very grateful.
Buying spaghetti squash is a new habit. I love it!!
On January 1, 2013, Warren was the first baby born in Clinton County Iowa. That distinction got him a picture in the local newspaper, and a few gift certificates from local businesses. They used the one from Pizza Hut...
I remember seeing him in the hospital, and thinking..."you are a very important person in my life now...I wonder who you are?"
HOW FAST THE TIME GOES!! I cannot believe that baby is four years old already. He's no baby anymore. He's a little boy...who is a very big part of my life.
But having a birthday on New Year's Day pretty much sucks...it will ALWAYS be overshadowed by the holiday...
Which is why this picture is so perfect, eh?
Every year, I make the Farro Family Birthday Cake. Chocolate cake with peanut butter icing...
Lilly made some special cupcakes for Warren this year. (his favorite color is blue).
His first four years have gone pretty well...and here's what we know about Warren so far. He is the sweetest little boy -- who lights up a room with his smile. He doesn't have one bit of temper...in any situation. He doesn't get impatient or angry...he just lays back and smells his "B" blanket if things are going badly...
Uncle Ross was determined he should have a really special birthday gift.
Which, of course, required some assembly...
Fast forward...two hours later....Ross was still assembling...Warren was being very patient...he stayed right in the area and kept trying to encourage Uncle Ross....
At the end -- Warren LOVED THE RACETRACK. And it was a lesson...let's see. "Anything worthwhile takes time?" Patience pays off? Uncle Ross must really love me...
Television is a big part of my life. I LOVE WATCHING TELEVISION. In the interest of full-disclosure -- I watch the Real Housewives of just-about-any-town. I enjoy many crappy TLC shows -- including Sister Wives. When my friend Nancy was sick, I told her to watch a Naked and Afraid marathon...And I've seen every episode of Dance Mom's.
So -- now that you fully understand how low my television entertainment bar is -- you may or may not take this advice seriously...
BUT YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING "THIS IS US" ON NBC. (Tuesday Nights -- 8:00 CST.)
This is the best show on television right now. Actually - it's the best show I've watched IN A LONG TIME. It's right up there with M.A.S.H...West Wing...the Sopranos....Mad Men....or the early days of E.R. Oh, my...Remember the good old days when you couldn't wait for Tuesday nights -- because that's when NYPD Blue came on? THIS IS LIKE THAT...
Really good television tells a story about people you care about. AND THIS IS THAT.
But here's the thing. YOU CAN'T JUST START TO WATCH IT...
You have to go back and start with Episode #1. Thank God for ON DEMAND...because that's how you have to watch this show. EVERY EPISODE IN ORDER...
Only then will you be able to appreciate the genius of this show...
I can't write another word about it - or I risk spoiling it.
You will thank me later...
And keep a careful eye on the wonderful Chrissy Metz.
Here's the thing. A happy, fulfilling life doesn't just happen. YOU HAVE TO DO ACTUAL THINGS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!! Whatever you enjoy doing, you need to DO MORE OF IT. Sounds simple, eh?
Not always. But -- in the spirit of Elvis -- I don't leave these things to chance.
Thinking about Elvis's three points of happiness...
#1: Someone to love. I am very fortunate to have people in my life that I love. A lot. When there are disappointments or problems, I think, "these are my people." Then, I forgive them -- or ask them to forgive me -- and we move on. Loving people is easy. Accepting and forgiving is the hard part...
#2: Something to do. NO PROBLEM. Taking care of all the people in #1 takes a lot of time...and I have so many hobbies that I LOVE....I always, always have something to do.
Which brings me to #3: Something to look forward to...This is so much fun. Because, I LOVE TO PLAN EVENTS. I like to have one major wonderful event happening every month.
Brilliant, eh??
So, to kick off 2017 -- here's what's happening (so far):
JANUARY: Mary Mulari is coming to Iowa!
Mary is coming for a visit -- and I AM PLANNING EVERY MINUTE!!
FEBRUARY: My cousin Jackie, is coming from North Carolina for a visit!
It's always great when Jackie comes home. With birthdays only 3 months apart, we grew up together and spending time with her makes me feel like a kid again. (I can almost get into those pink pants!!)
MARCH: Lilly and I have our birthdays. This year, I am taking her to NEW YORK CITY!!
Last year, I took Lilly to CHICAGO. She got to meet Mary Fons and we had a wonderful time. This year? NEW YORK CITY!! I am soo excited. I've been working out, getting in shape -- and am confident that I'll be able to keep up with her!
APRIL:
To Be Determined. Hummm...I have so many choices...what to do? what to do??
We will DEFINITELY have a Sister's Sewing Weekend again this year!!
How about a Featherweight Workshop in Minnesota?? Hey -- that could happen!!
Maybe I'll go to Canada to see Marion's new house...no, wait, she's probably still in Florida...
A TMBC Road trip? Maybe an overnight in Wisconsin??
May:
In May, Mary and I will be doing our brand new Midwest YA YA Sister act at Nancy's Sewing Weekend in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin!!
June: Whatever doesn't happen in April is going to happen in June...
Actually, this picture is from an earlier trip to Chicago -- it was the first time I took pictures of the Hey Rita tote to tell the story of my travels...here, in Lord & Taylor's...she fit right in with the mink coats...
And we always visit museums....I can't leave the Art Institute without seeing American Gothic...
You just NEVER know what's gonna happen on any given day, y'know?? During our Chicago vacation -- they were filming the "Transformers" movie downtown. Everything looked all tore up -- like a bomb had gone off. There was crew everywhere...the movie hasn't come out yet...
Here's a picture of you -- walking in beautiful downtown Chicago. You are hard to keep up with on a normal day -- but when it got to 100 degrees...yikes...SLOW DOWN, BABE...
Last week, it was 20 degrees BELOW zero here in Iowa. I know it wasn't that cold in Canada -- but I understand why you went to Florida!!
Happy Birthday, Marion! You live in the moment better than anybody I know...and I hope there is a delicious chocolate cake on your plate today. In honor of your birthday -- I'm going to make popovers -- AND I can hardly wait to see where we go in 2011...
