Happy Birthday, Jackie!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACKIE..!! The best thing about this blog is that I can send Birthday Wishes FAR AWAY on exactly the right date!! (unlike snail mail cards -- which are so unpredictable...and must be purchased and sent days in advance).

It was easy for me to look back at some pictures and find fun moments for you to RELIVE today. 

We were having fun together long before I started taking pictures, Jackie. I wish I had some of us when we were little...growing up on our respective Iowa farms. To us, the five of you were always "Wayne's Girls".

Then, raising our boys.....the trips we took.  Remember Biltmore?  The GREAT LINEN AUCTION in Aurora, Minnesota??  Puyallup...SewExpo....Boston? Of course -- New York City!! I can still see us, standing on the track at Penn Station, waiting for a train that never came....And then -- you, on the train, struggling with that enormous bag...saying, "I'm just a little woman, Rita..."

Honestly...I'm laughing out loud as I write it.!!

Painting my house...putting plastic bags on our feet so we could splatter paint all over the porch floor. Now -- THAT WAS A GOOD TIME, babe..!!

There have been many good times -- Seattle -- Chicago...Thanks for all of them. And on this special day -- I'm looking forward to MANY MORE!!

Love,
Rita

DVM: in NYC...Ellen's Stardust Diner...

In many ways, this trip to New York City was the BEST I EVER HAD. Really. I loved to do the research, zone the city, and plan the itinerary. The three people I was traveling with were sooo open -- all so enthusiastic and easy-going. Which is why we were able to PACK EVERY SINGLE MINUTE WITH EXCELLENT NEW YORK CITY ADVENTURES..!.

It's been a big thrill for me to relive those moments via these blog posts...and I hate to see the reports end...

The last time I wrote, it was Monday. We ate breakfast...went to the Kelly and Ryan television show...Lincoln Center...then lunch at the Plaza hotel. That afternoon, Deena, Val and Maddie went to Rockefeller Center for a backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall. I met my friend Jeff and we went to the Downton Abbey Exhibit...

Initially -- our plan was to meet up back at the hotel...

It was a cold, wet day. As Jeff and I were walking down Broadway, we got to 50th Street...and when I looked over -- and did a double-take. THERE WAS NO LINE OUTSIDE ELLEN'S STARDUST DINER..!!

I CALLED DEENA AND SAID MEET US AT ELLEN'S STARDUST DINER....THERE'S NO LINE.....

It's 3:00 in the afternoon -- hey -- I could eat!! I COULD NOT BELIEVE OUR LUCK.

Jeff and I had just sat down when two of the wait staff began to sing the anthem from RENT...

I was crying..this is Jeff, getting ready to post a really BAD picture of me...crying...

When we were finished eating -- Jeff sat with DVM for a bit. We were trying to figure out our subway route for our LAST NIGHT OF ADVENTURE in the Big Apple!!

One day soon -- I'm going to write about Broadway Plays. Why musicals are important...or, maybe it's just the music itself, eh? For me -- it's always about the words...and, hey -- RENT is on it's 20th Anniversary nationwide tour....and those words change a person.

If you listen...

There's only us, 

there's only this 

Forget regret, 

or life is your's to miss 

No other path, 

no other way 

No day but today

Library Sew-Ins...

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I AM THRILLED that the TMBC has settled into a schedule of once-a-month-all-day-sew-ins at our local library. The Bettendorf Library has several big meeting rooms upstairs that they rent out (for $5 a day). We've been in all of them at this point...

On this day, we were in the Malrose Conference room.  It had one large table...and many comfortable office chairs. Yep. We can make this work.

I was working on another shop apron out of Ross's old blue jeans.

When I am sewing, I make the biggest mess you can imagine.

I had about three different areas covered with scraps, projects-in-progress,and things to cut out.

I was also restyling a pair of jeans for myself

Although, they were NOT QUITE big enough -- so I added a red stripe up one side.

I was doing a reverse-applique -- with sewing motif fabrics.

Pretty cute, eh?

I was also fringing a pair of cut-off shorts for Lilly

But I decided to steal one of her cuffs for my own jeans.

Linda worked on her quilt project - and the next week, at TMBC, she brought it ALL LAID OUT.

She had some extra-curricular help from Sandy -- who went to her house to do the pin-basting. AND, in her spare time, Sandy finished the project she started at the library..

Oh, yeah...Nike was right. There is a huge benefit to JUST DOING IT.

When you know YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ENTIRE DAY of sewing...you put together projects in your head. And maybe throw things in a laundry basket...preparing for THE DAY.

There is HUGE BENEFIT to getting together with your friends...and JUST SEWING...

At the end of the month, we have set up an OVERNIGHT Sewing Retreat at a local retreat center.  It's run by a very interesting group of Catholic Nuns...and they'll be cooking our food, too.  It's out in the middle of nowhere...and WE ARE EXCITED..!!

Sewing Retreats!!

As you know -- it is my pleasure to write for the digital magazine, Schmetz's Inspired To Sew.

Here’s your monthly link to SCHMETZ Inspired to SEW #53.  It's ALL ABOUT SEWING RETREATS...!! 

And nobody does this better than the Sewing & Stitchery Expo CTA group.  They get together every year and spend THREE WHOLE DAYS working on their projects.

SO MUCH FUN...tomorrow, I'll give you an update of our latest library retreat...

 https://issuu.com/schmetzneedles/docs/its53-may18?e=10258703/60650912.

Grandma Camp 2018

Hey -- Lilly's last day of school was just last Thursday -- and GRANDMA CAMP HAS ALREADY KICKED INTO HIGH GEAR..!!

Both Lilly and Warren made a LIST of things we're going to do this summer.

For starters -- we're going to paint some old furniture -- and clean up the patio area to make it more fun and colorful.

The kid's already started to TAKE DOWN THE STARCH wall in their bedroom...OMG -- I LOVED that wall!!  Do you remember when I first blogged about it? Lilly was 3 years old at the time...

She was still willing to wear PINK!!  This is the little girl who once said, "You just can't go wrong with pink, Grandma."  Now, she wouldn't be caught dead in it...

Recent pictures will follow...I swear, I'M ACTUALLY TOO TIRED FROM GRANDMA CAMP TO PROPERLY BLOG ABOUT EVERYTHING WE DID..!!

We do a good deed every day.  On day one, we stopped in to fix cousin Linda's Featherweight,  delivered some puzzles to my Aunt Ada, then took a chocolate Frosty to my friend Val who is recovering from a recent surgery...

On Day Two -- Lilly baked -- for the first time -- ALL BY HERSELF -- a batch of cupcakes.  They were all to be given away, of course.

These are from Mother's Day.  Saturday's batch had white HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOW FONDANT...with blue fondant rolled out and cut to look like a bow.  pretty cute.  Pics to follow...

Lilly also made a beautiful Zentangle picture that we're going to frame...but the BIG CREATIVE PROJECT this summer will be a re-do of their room.  It was time for the starched fabric to go away (removing it was A LOT OF FUN for them)...

We're going to replace it with something a little more sophisticated...and suited to Lilly's advanced age (she's 9 now).

But we're not ready for the unveiling of that project YET...

All in good time -- right?

In the meantime...I've cleaned up most of the IT'S A FORT mess in the living room...and walking around the new 1,000 piece puzzle Lilly started to work on.  I Frankensewed two new swim trunks for Warren, and made four new pair of shorts for Lilly (out of old jeans).

They proudly hung their new pictures up on the refrigerator,  and I'm still picking up the 20 or so colored pencils Warren lost control of right before they left....

I'm writing this on Sunday afternoon.  I did go to the pool to do my exercise...but now, thanks to Grandma Camp --

I NEED A NAP..!!

2018 Grandma Camp: Day One

So, on DAY ONE of our 2018 Grandma Camp -- Emily brought the kids over and we compared our calendars. They're both signed up for two sessions of swimming lessons....and there are also several weeks of day camps at Scott County Park.

I'll have Lilly one day, and Warren on a different day. Then, they'll both spend the night on Fridays. I have a BIG LIST of Saturday activities...so -- hey --

LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED..!!

On the first day of Grandma Camp, we mostly stayed at the house.  They played outside with Frank, and rode their bikes, and we cleaned up the yard.  Lilly made a list, and we went into town.  Library, grocery store, Wendy's (they have 50 cent Frosty's)...and a visit to my friend Valerie (who is in a rehab center, recovering from knee surgery).

It was a busy day -- and every day of Grandma Camp has at least ONE GOOD DEED.  On this day, delivering a chocolate frosty to Val was our official good deed.  Lilly sang two Hamilton songs for her (and her roommate) -- and I'm always afraid that will be the LAST time I hear her sing.

But, she remembered every word...and it's okay with me that she's over Alexander...He had a really good run.
 

On our way home -- we stopped to visit a friend...

Warren was disappointed nobody was home...

The main activity was to BUILD A FORT.

After their baths, the kids settled into the fort to eat popcorn and watch some television...

Oh, yeah, 2018 Grandma Camp is off TO A GREAT START..!!

2018 Grandma Camp

Hey -- THE KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL ALREADY. How did this happen??

It's time to ramp up for 2018 GRANDMA CAMP..!!

Someday, they'll remember these days as their Good Old Days....

But I've GOTTA GET BUSY -- and make some plans...!!   

Here's a partial list I've put together of possible activities...(starting today)....

June 1: LeClaire City Wide Garage Sales

June 9, Saturday -- Niabi Zoo: World Ocean DAY

Wed. Jun 13:  Scott Community College  11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. 195915 Little Women/Louisa May Alcott The classic book "Little Women" turns 150 years in 2018. Mark this occasion, with this living history portrayal of the beloved author Louisa May Alcott. Stories of her poverty filled childhood, her struggles to succeed as a writer and how "Little Women" came to be. This presentation is sponsored by the Plus 60's. (Includes Lunch) Cost: $22

NAHANT MARSH To register for classes, contact Nahant Marsh at 563-336-3370 or go to nahantmarsh.org.

 Beginning Birding Learn how to identify birds and their habitats with expert ornithologist Kelly McKay. Kelly lead birding tours to various areas of Nahant Marsh. Participants will learn how to identify birds by sight and call and will learn how to properly use the equipment. May 2, May 19, June 6, June 16, July 11, July 21, August 8, August 18 6:30-9 a.m. $6 Members, $12 Guests

What’s on my Milkweed? Learn about the different types of native milkweeds, what insects are attracted to each, and the growing needs of the various species. June 19 6-8 p.m.

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And I haven't even made a note of the various library events in the area...much less projects for us to do...

I'D BETTER GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!