McCausland, Iowa Labor Day

We grew up on a farm just outside of McCausland, Iowa. On Labor Day -- people come from miles around. There's a Fireman's Breakfast...

The fire station is JAMMED with hungry visitors...

My sister Deena is working with the church -- selling chances....

On some pretty snazzy baskets...

There's a very extensive car show (that's another post)...

AND -- there is always, always, always -- THE PARADE...

My sister Deena has her entire crew here -- the kids have their plastic bags -- waiting for the candy that is about to come raining down on them...

And we've cooked up a little surprise for Kelcy's husband, Andy...who came home on THAT DAY...from the Army. For good. Finally.

Hummmm?? Could there be a video???

Val & Karaoke

In her normal life, one of Val's favorite activities is "Karaoke". She likes to go two nights a week to a local joint -- the "Hat". She considers it her weekly "gig". As you know, my friend Valerie recently spent several weeks in a nursing home, with her foot in a large cast, doing "rehab".

You cannot imagine how delighted she was when she saw "Karaoke night" on the nursing home calendar.

She invited me to come into the home on that night so I could see her perform. When I got there, she already had her playlist ready (six possible songs). We ate our KFC dinner -- then Val wheeled herself over to the mirror in her room so she could put her make-up on...



That's the moment I started to make fun of her. "Picking up a new man tonight? Cuz your odds are TERRIBLE. There are 40 women for every man..."

We were the first to arrive in the rec room. Before long -- two older-than-us-guys wheeled their bulky 1960's karaoke equipment into the room....

As they were setting up, Val (in her perfect make-up) started quizzing them.

"Where do you do Karaoke?"

Guy #1 said, "everywhere"...and continued his set-up work. (obviously thinking he could ignore her.)

Val pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and said, "do you have these songs?"

Guy #2 took the paper and asked, surprised "you have a playlist?"

Val said (again), "Where do you do Karaoke? And don't give me that "everywhere" garbage. Do you go to restaurants? Bars? Where?"

The two fellas exchanged a glance...then, sheepishly admit that "everywhere" meant other nursing homes and assisted living centers in the surrounding areas.

As this discussion is happening, the nurses are filling the audience with other wheelchair residents. The room is packed -- at least 20 people. Val is sure that the word is out. (that she will be singing tonight...)

With their set up complete -- they are discussing how they'll start. Apparently, nursing home karaoke is more like a "sing-a-long-with-Mitch". Guy #1 said he'd start with "When you're smiling"...and Guy #1 was picking his song...when Val said (anxious now -- and remember -- her make-up is perfect) "You're BOTH going to sing?"

Taken aback -- they told Valerie that they could do just one opening song. The good news was that they did have most of the songs on her list.

Reassured...and nearly ready now...she turned to me and said, "I need a glass of water".

Like any good roadie -- I went off to find my star her H2O...

The entire nursing staff was in a break room, enjoying their coffee break. I gingerly knocked on the door and said, "I'm sorry to interrupt...but could somebody help me get a bottle of water for Linda Rondstadt out here?"

End-of-Summer Tradition

I have a lot of traditions. We all do...Here's a picture of one of my favorites. Can you figure it out?

That's right. It's me and Kim getting our "end of the summer" pedicures. Kim is the kitchen manager at the local junior high cafeteria -- and every year, right before she has to officially go "back to work" -- we spend a relaxing afternoon getting a little pampering.

On this day -- I decided to get royal blue polish on my big toe, and teal on the other four. FABULOUS...Can you see how great it looks?

Here's a close-up. It's my first actual "flower" -- and I couldn't be more delighted.

Really. I just can't stop admiring my new pedicure.

Ya Ya'ing in Cincinnati

Mary Mulari and I will be in Cincinnati September 8-10 for the QSC show (Quilting, Sewing and Crafts).

Here's a picture of us arriving in Reno for the QSC show....

The night of our show -- with Vickie Hundert, the Show Producer...

You were a WONDERFUL audience -- even though you got a little rowdy....Karen was a GREAT photographer for us...


And, as it turns out, she took this great picture of one of my favorite suitcases. I love me a big 30" rolling duffle...and this one was fun to decorate. I always thought it looked smashing...and it never failed to get noticed at airports...


Sadly, on the trip home from Reno -- the zipper broke and some machinery bent the frame. Yikes. But -- I have PLENTY MORE WHERE IT CAME FROM...lol...

And if you want to see my NEW embroidered/decorated suitcase -- you'll just have to come to the show in Cincinnati this weekend!

I'll be doing my favorite, "Life Is Not A Dress Size" seminar -- and Mary will be doing several of her best selling seminars as well. AND WE'LL BE YA YAING on Friday night!!

See you there!!

Cedar Rapids Flood Recovery

In 2008, Cedar Rapids, Iowa suffered a devastating flood. For about a month, we watched on the evening news as the rivers were rising. Cedar Rapids is a jewel of a little city, with neighborhoods divided by rivers and connected by bridges. The devastation was enormous.



During my recent visit, Anne drove me around. I was curious about how the recovery is going. It's a very slow process. Clearly, Cedar Rapids is trying to rebuild. But it ain't easy. In many neighborhoods, some people re-invested in their property, other people had to walk away. The abandoned houses are still boarded up, full of black mold and vermin. The day we were there, the downtown was eerily quiet. Even though things are dry now -- and the rebuilding is evident...it must be a struggle to find new tenants to replace the bankrupt businesses...

It was such a gorgeous summer day. It's impossible to visualize all that water and the devastation it caused...



As we drove around, Anne and I were quiet. I was thinking how sad it is -- even now, years later. So much loss. And I was thinking about Joplin, Missouri...a much more recent tragedy. Their tornadoes were so sudden, killing over 100 people...I can't even imagine how they'll recover.

Maybe the truth is that you don't always recover....you just move on.

Project Runway -- SPOILER ALERT

I love the challenge. Every designer was hooked up with a young art student and they did a "painting" together. Awesome. The painting was to be the inspiration for their "avante-garde" garment. They have $300 to spend at Mood and TWO DAYS to sew the thing. So they can do absolutely anything they want -- this is the week to REALLY BRING IT. SHOW us your POINT OF VIEW.

The designers in the middle were Kimberly, Becky, Viktor, Bryce and Anya. (I could be missing somebody -- but, hey -- they're in the middle...)

I thought Viktor's dress could have been the winner. Anya surprised me with that caged skirt that was completely open in the front. If she'd used hot pink fabric -- it would have worked on the Great Big Fat Gypsy Wedding show.

But Bryce?? C'mon, bud. A red straight jacket? He spent $300 on that cheezy fabric? Really?? It looked like he hand basted the stiff navy skirt to the stretchy red top...the design was ugly, the execution fell short and I cannot believe they didn't throw him in the basement. That skirt could not possibly have been cut on-grain (yes, that is sarcasm). He really has no game and I wish he'd go home sooner rather than later...

The three designers they liked were:

Laura made a beautiful yellow prom dress which was in no way related to the challenge or the painting.

Anthony made a chiffon dress with bits of fabric glued all over to look like brush strokes. I loved it and he was the clear winner.

Full-of-himself-Joshua painted on some vinyl fabric to make a brown circle skirt, with a ruffly orange top. The judges acted like painting on vinyl was a strong, original idea that nobody ever thought of before...wha??

Bert -- inspired by his kandinsky-like painting decided to make empire-waisted jodphurs with puffy geometric shapes on the butt. Really, Bert -- I want to like you...but you make it very difficult.

Already-went-home-once-Josh made a tight black leather jumper. Since the judges were using words like, "waitress, cheap, hooker..." I was sure he was going home. I was right and he won't be missed.

The only thing that saved Oliver is the fact that the judges are trying to figure out where his fake accent comes from...

Kapla Blocks

At the Children's Discovery Center -- both Cash and Cale found lots of interesting activities. But something that was new to all of us was the huge set of Kapla blocks.

Very different from Leggos -- the Kapla blocks are completely smooth on all sides. Maybe 6" long and 1" wide...

There were lots of books and pictures showing the many possibilities.
Hey -- I BUILT A CHAIR, PEOPLE...

I'm telling you. There is no end to the fun this summer. These kids are wearing me out...WHEN DOES SCHOOL START?