Frankie

Two years ago, I decided we should get a dog. John and I had not discussed this plan...because I KNEW he was adamant about us NEVER having another dog. (that's a long story...)

I thought I wanted a rescue dog...but the dogs in the local shelters were either too old, or part pit-bull....

Then, the other problem is those darned PUPPY MILLS. Gheesh...Craig's List is full of people who pretend they are "rehoming" a dog -- but they're actually running a puppy mill.  Iowa has over 1200 of them...and it's a hard thing to avoid...

So, I went old-school.  And looked in the classified ads...

Which is where we found Roger and Maureen...and their litter of adorable mixed-breedpuppies...

Linda and Lilly went with me to bring him home. (Linda's dog, Jack, was not a fan)

John was furious. (that's an understatement).

It took a few days before we could settle on a name. Ross suggested Frank Albert Sinatra Farro.  That was perfect...and he brings SO MUCH TO OUR LIVES...

He keeps a constant eye on the place, and only barks when somebody drives in.

He sits on the arm of my chair and helps me write this blog...every day.  He is my constant companion.

Ross played this game with Frankie when he was a little puppy -- and Frankie still thinks he fits!!

Wherever Warren is -- Frankie is nearby.  When the kids spend the night, Frankie sleeps in their room until they're both asleep...then, he comes out and gets up on my lap. 

But, of course, Frankie's biggest fan is -- JOHN.  Lilly often brings Sophie with her, and Frankie wants her to know THIS IS HIS SPOT...

Recently, I took Frankie to the vet because he was chewing on his foot. The doctor thought it was allergies, but the Benadryl did not help.

Frank got worse -- and would let out a big YIP every now and then, like he was in pain. My vet went on vacation, so I made an appointment with another vet.  As I was walking out the door, John said, "whatever he needs, Rita.  I heard they can do an MRI at the Emergency Animal Hospital in Iowa City....don't worry about the money..."

Yes.  I know who I'm married to...

Junior Theater Fall Play

When I signed Lilly up for Acting Class, I had NO IDEA what a great program this was. Lilly loves it, and acting class has totally structured our Saturdays.  Both kids spend the night on Friday, Saturday morning I make them breakfast (waffles, pancakes or eggs -- but ALWAYS bacon)..then we're OFF TO ACTING CLASS.

Davenport -- and Miss Stephanie -- YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!!

Every week,  she learns something new:  props, make-up, costumes, scripts...

The Fall Play was Alice in Wonderland...and Lilly was excited to see how these kids would perform, and put everything together...

This is Warren's Saturday face.

And Lilly enjoyed giving us the low-down on all the stuff going on behind the scenes.

Oh, yeah...these kids are having a wonderful time!

Now is the time when many high schools are putting on their Fall Plays. CHECK IT OUT in your own area.

Even though Warren doesn't quite have the attention span required,  there is nothing more entertaining than REAL people putting on a show!
***********
MMWI:  226.6  YES...that's a two pound loss.  Next week at this time, I'll be back in Florida for Round Two of Fat Camp.  Just knowing I'm going has been an good thing for me this last week.  And I am looking forward to a reboot!!

Frankensewed Fat Fashions

Last year, at this time, I was getting ready to go to Florida for Fat Camp. I had NO IDEA what to expect -- but I did know it was not possible to buy any kind of "work out" clothes in my size. So, of course, I Frankensewed my own fitness wardrobe.

AND then, I had a little style show at my Aunt Ada's house...

I use this photo as my "before" picture. Because I look so fat and uncomfortable. And I was...

Although I showed this dress, it was a work in progress and it did not actually fit me at the time. I'm trying to find it so I can finish it...I think it needs, at the very least, some fringe, eh?

TMBC was my audience...Sandy and LK

And LP and Aunt Ada...

Not everybody loves it when I put their pictures on this blog....but, I do try to pick photos that make them look good...or at least, happy. Like, for example, I would never post this picture of my Aunt Ada...

But, then again, the fact that she doesn't have a computer does enter into my decision...

Because I love this shirt, I've restyled it for Round Two next week.WAIT TILL YOU SEE IT NOW!!

HEY -- EVERYBODY SHOULD FRANKENSEW A FITNESS WARDROBE for Fitness Camp..!!

Time for another Style Show here in Iowa!!

Row By Row

One of the most exciting things about TMBC (Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club) -- is that we get to SHARE stuff..!! And, because we all sew, that often involves a "Sew and Tell".

Last year, we were all about the Splendid Sampler. (I plan to put mine together this winter)...

Right now, the big rage is ROW BY ROW...the biggest, bestest Shop Hop in the history of the world..!!

It's going to be fun to see how these projects all come together...

Each quilt shop designed their own panel...

And it takes 8 "Rows" to make a lap quilt. The theme this year was travel. So, you could put your quilt together by theme (campers, VW buses, airplanes, etc.)...or by State. (all 50 states have participating shops)...

Sandy is both participating AND documenting our progress...(for our private Facebook page)

Many of the designs have fabulous die cut applique patterns...

It's SO MUCH FUN to put them together....

Here's what I love the most about the Row by Row challenge. These finished quilts are just like snowflakes -- no two can ever be the same.

Each quilter picks which designs, then makes fabric choices, or puts the rows in a certain order that is pleasing to them...

So -- the finished quilt will be unique and special...like snowflakes....no two can ever be alike...

Just like people. 

And there is such joy in that. 

If only quilters could run the world, eh?

Best Costume!!

Halloween is BIG BUSINESS. According to Google, the average American spends $74 on costumes, candy and decorations. SERIOUSLY??

It seems like every vacant building in town turns into one of those temporary "Halloween Express" stores..

I know people have a lot of choices...and they're really busy nowadays...but, still -- I miss a good old-fashioned homemade costume.

One year, Ross went as the "Tin Man" from the Wizard of Oz. It was a box covered with aluminum foil, and a colander for a hat.  That year,  his friend Neal had a cardboard box costume that looked like a Rubic's Cube.

Last week, at Lilly's school Halloween party -- there was only ONE cardboard box costume...and I LOVED IT..!!...

His name is Nate...and, altho you can't see it from this angle...his costume is a take-off on those video arcade machines -- remember the Whack-a-Mole..?

This is the view of the FRONT of Nate's costume.

That's right -- he came as a "Whack A Nate" video game.

His Mom took his picture (wearing the same shirt and tie) -- and cut around his profile, and taped them onto the box...There was even a rubber club attached!!

I know it's wrong to judge a book by it's cover. Or a family by the Halloween Costume.  But, honestly -- wouldn't you love to meet Nate's Mom?
 

YES, MORE FAT FASHIONS..!!

First of all, I want to say that I know there's something wrong with me eating APPLE PIE...at the event where I'm showing off my new custom Fitness Wardrobe..!!

Yes, I see the problem, people...hey -- nobody's perfect!!

My audience includes Sharalan and Linda P.  (sitting on her own sofa).

Sandy (LK is taking the pictures, so you won't see her)

This was my first restyled outfit...

I loved the sparkly letters that say "WHOA!"...I know that's how I'm gonna be feeling this week

The striped fabric in the sides of this shirt came OUT of my favorite shirt from last year...(see earlier post)...

This outfit is based on the theory that you just CAN'T GO WRONG WITH ANIMAL PRINTS...

I cut up an old shirt I loved to wear to writer's workshops...it says, "How Can You Go Wrong If You Write?"

Oh, yeah.   Somewhere...there could be somebody having more fun than me...maybe...but I haven't met 'em...

Halloween and Ritaluck

Lilly wanted to be a scary clown for Halloween. I didn't actually get the assignment from Emily until Wednesday....(her class party was Friday).

At my first stop, I found this wig for $1.98...

Although there were HUGE RACKS of clothes and costumes at the Goodwill store, there was nothing that could be considered a "clown costume"...I'd hoped to buy something that I could Frankensew into a clown costume...

My second stop was the DAV Thrift store -- where I found THIS MOST PERFECT CLOWN COSTUME. And it was complete, with a clown collar...OMG...I knew somebody had sewn this costume...they used a pattern and everything. Then -- ten years later -- I buy it for $2.45.

Lilly could not have been more delighted!!

All I had to do was take it home and stick it in the washing machine. It came out BEAUTIFUL.

I made one important change. The woman who made it, ran elastic through a casing for the neck opening. But there was no back opening in the actual costume. So it was kind of hard to get in and out of the thing. Taking a trick from the Mary Mulari playbook -- I just sewed an elastic ponytail holder....

With the new opening in the back, the ponytail holder stretches enough for Lilly to step into her Clown Costume.

She was going for Creepy Clown, and I think she hit it...