The Good Old Days

Last week, I was looking for a specific PHOTO. Doesn't that make you crazy?? I must have ten thousand photos on this computer...ugh...and, as much time as I've spent over the years, organizing those pictures, it just isn't possible...

But, I did find an old folder, labeled, Sew 2008 Expo...and there were some classics, that brought back some great memories...

Mary Mulari and I taught four classes at Expo that year -- and Judy and Chris became our official "stalkers"

Kaye Wood and Libby Lehman, behind the scenes, eating a snack...

THAT was the year we put together an actual tabloid "newspaper" for the show.

The very first evening event -- Friday Night LIVE. I wrote an actual "program" - with favorite things from Martha Pullen, Nancy Cornwell and Sue Hausmann..

In those good old days, the Viking sewing machine company actually sponsored a Speaker Dinner!! Here, Sue and Martha are posing for a casual photo....

THIS picture -- of Elliott in Germany (third guy) was also in that folder.  That explains why I have such a hard time finding pictures, eh??

I went to New York City twice that year...

And I always take the same picture

The Naked Cowboy is in many folders....

Cow Quilts

Imagine This Pasture was an exhibit on display at the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island, Illinois.
 
I was fortunate enough to see it in the fall, when John and I attended the Veteran's Day Quilts of Valor event.

The quilts were made by members of the Mississippi Valley Quilter's Guild.  And I SO ENJOYED their sense of whimsy and humor...

Quilts are like snowflakes -- no two are ever the same!!

The brown cow -- with pink words that say "Moo Shoes".  SO clever!!

Grant Wood would be proud of the American Gothic in trip-tik...

The striped legs are such a good touch, don't you think?

Love the patriotic theme.

If you are looking for a new activity for 2015 -- you could do worse than to join a local Quilt group. Here's the link for the Mississippi Valley Quilt Guild.

They do SO MANY worthwhile events. Getting together to cut and sew squares for the Quilts of Valor is just one of their good deed activities. They also make doll quilts for local children, they do a wonderful quilt show every other year, they have challenges, and fabric exchanges. It sounds like a ROCKING good time if you ask me!!

Quilt/sewing guilds across the country are always looking for a few good women!! I don't care if you are new to sewing or if you've been doing it all your life -- there is NO BETTER GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD than women who sew. Surround yourself with them -- you can do no better.

Old Fashioned Vintage Christmas

There were SO MANY great holiday activities going on, a person simply had to pick and choose. Sadly, we were limited by WHO WAS WELL ENOUGH to participate. We've been hit hard by the flu bug -- and, at various times, I was down, my kids, their kids...ugh. Of course, John had it worse than any of us (yes, that is sarcasm). Ross fought it off twice, and has become the poster child for Purell....but, I digress.

One of the big local events during the holiday season is the Vintage Christmas event at the John Deere Wieman House in Moline, Illinois. It was a beautiful winter Sunday afternoon....My cousin Kim and I decided to take our two girls....

Madison, in a rare moment without her twin brother -- and Lillian...

This is the John Deere Mansion in Moline, Illinois.

It is a beautifully maintained historic treasure.

Every room had volunteers dressed in period costumes...

The whole house is decorated for Christmas.  There are musicians providing live music...

The dining room was quite spectacular...

But one of the girls' favorite things was the gigantic TRAIN set

It was a HUGE train set....the girls loved it...

One of the most interesting things was the marble SHOWER with 12 shower heads...and you've gotta wonder why this didn't catch on?? It's SO MUCH BETTER than what we ended up with, don't you think??

Hats off to those of you who get involved in your local historic/mansion/tour events. My friend Pat is a volunteer at the Governor's Mansion in Olympia, Washington...and it is always special to get a behind-the-scenes tour of these fabulous old homes. It takes a lot of time and effort to maintain these properties and open them for public events, and I just want to say THANK YOU.

Laundry Room Remodel

I have over 800 pins on my "Laundry" board on Pinterest!! Every one of them brings me a little bit of joy....

I only wish my Laundry Room looked something like THIS!!

Writing these laundry blog posts has made me think about how much time I actually SPEND in my laundry room. And the truth is -- it isn't even a "room". It's just one dingy side of the basement. I would be too ashamed to show you an actual picture of where I spend my Mondays....

Hummm...

Last night, I spent two hours looking at my Pinterest LAUNDRY board...and a LAUNDRY ROOM REMODEL is definitely on my list for 2015...and there are SOO MANY GOOD IDEAS OUT THERE...I don't know where to start....

I love the hanging ladder -- and I HAVE two of these rolling laundry baskets...

Great use for an old entertainment center, eh? (sadly, I already burned mine)...I also love the checkerboard tile floor...

I don't want actual cupboards -- I want to SEE what's in there.  But that CHANDELIER??!!

A girl can never go wrong with pink...

But it would be a lot more fun to actually STENCIL a design on my washer and dryer, don't you think??  Of course, I would never use beige...I don't see the point of beige...

I love the idea of using a fabric valance below the shelf to hide the plumbing.

Words always tickle me

A chandelier, a word --  AND a zebra rug??

What an excellent idea for a drying rack that can be put away!

This is my color yellow!! AND what a great way to display my apron collection!!

WOW. I am dizzy now with all the inspiration. But where do I start? Some things are possible -- other things are not....I will never have an actual "room". My washer/dryer will always be on one side of my unfinished basement. The walls are poured concrete, and the floor is cement.

PAINT is always a good place to start...BUT paint what? The floor? The washer and dryer? Hummm...

Next week, I will post some "BEFORE" pictures. Maybe. Oh, dear...it's such a big mess...how embarrassing...

AND I do have one photo, which will be my jumping-off-inspiration point.  I AM SO EXCITED...

Gifts vs. Adventures

When it comes to actual "shopping" -- I'm no good at it. I think kids today have WAY TOO MANY TOYS AND ALTOGETHER TOO MUCH STUFF. Many toys are downright stupid. And, in my opinion, some of the stuff is a big waste of money. Or worse -- a mind-numbing, brain-sucking, stop-thinking, accomplish-nothing big waste of a child's valuable time.

I have a very bad attitude about computer/video/smartphone/i-pad games. I believe too much time in front of a SCREEN, playing pointless, often violent games can isolate a child and change the way they interact with the people in their world.

To complicate things even further -- I have a /hate relationship with Barbie...so you can see I have a lot of shopping limitations.

All that makes gift-giving kind of a challenge...

Many years ago -- I decided to avoid giving gifts. Instead, I focus on ADVENTURES. EXPERIENCES. ACTIVITIES.

My Aunt Rita adventures are legendary (at least in my own mind).  I took several nephews to juggling class...there were airplane rides...always a lot of live theater.  There were paintball events, or an English HIGH TEA Christmas party. 

I believe in spending TIME... To listen, to talk, to play. TIME is the secret...TIME is the gift...

This is one of my GO-TO activities. Lilly loves to look for shells along the river. This is 5 minutes from my house...

Even a simple summer lunch becomes an activity -- watching the hummingbirds on the porch.

Lilly and Memphis, spending time together -- conducting an experiment

Lilly took this picture -- Cash went with us to see Frozen...

A couple of hours at the local Discovery Center

Lilly, attending her first auction...

SO MANY wonderful plays this year! With Mary to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...

All kids love picnics. On this day -- Ross went along (which explains the great pictures). The thing about spending time with a child is that it doesn't require a lot of money, advance planning, or fancy wrapping....

to make a memory that will last a lifetime...

And here's the thing young parents do not understand. IF you think you are spending time with your child, but you are constantly looking at your smartphone -- it doesn't count. As a matter of fact, you may be doing more harm than good.

TURN THE DAMN THING OFF...!!.

Hooters

A group of softball players, all in their 40's, discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters because the waitresses were young, good looking, had large things and wore short-shorts.

 Ten years later, at age 50, the softball buddies once again discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters because the food and service was good, they had many televisions to watch the games on, and the beer selection was excellent.

Ten years later, at age 60, the team again discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters because there was plenty of parking, they could dine in peace, and it was good value for the money.

Ten years later, at age 70, they discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters because the restaurant was wheelchair accessible and had a toilet for the disabled.

Ten years later, at age 80, the friends discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters because they had never been there before..

Happy Birthday Warren

Warren was the first baby born in Clinton County, Iowa in the year 2013. On the one hand, that seems like just yesterday. And on the other hand -- I cannot remember life before Warren...

He's had a wonderful year, and it has been a joy to be a part of it. He doesn't miss a thing...his smile can light up a room...

So, I'm just going to review his 2014...

This is my best picture of Warren on his FIRST birthday...January 1, 2013

Warren and Lilly at last year's Christmas

He is just SO DAMN HAPPY...

John put up his childhood train...a 1945 American Flyer...

In the summer, he LOVED being outside. I had a stroller in my trunk at all times, and another one at the house...

As I was working on my porch sofa, those cushions became his weekly jungle-gym...

He enjoyed the outdoor concerts with my TMBC. He never crawled...but scooted on his butt all round the park.

FINALLY -- at 19 months -- THERE WAS WALKING!! (Uncle Ross kept telling him he came from a long line of bipedal ancestors)

Which, of course, led to apple-picking...

My favorite selfie of the two of us. He ALWAYS has his "B". Which is a flannel blanket my sister Ronda made for him. He loves it so much, she made five or six of them...so I have one at my house, his Mom and I have a spare one in our cars...

He used to HATE his bath -- until I bought 24 rubber duckies. Now, it's a highlight of his day...

He comes here one day a week, then spends the night. There are a few words. "Nite-nite. Num-mum. And, his favorite -- No Thank You."

He answered ALL our political calls during the Fall.

I think that having a New Year's birthday is going to suck. Maybe it's not as bad as a Christmas Day birthday (my poor sister Deena)...but his birthday will never be just about HIM. We have some well established New Year's Day traditions....we've been eating that big fresh pork roast and sauerkraut meal for over 40 years...

 But, to honor Warren -- from now on -- the new dessert will always be BIRTHDAY CAKE!!...