Consequences

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:

the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

It seems that it is impossible to get a decent "family" photo...and this is what we came up with after the mothers and grandmothers were threatening "consequences" if you don't sit still and smile......Oh well! They are still pretty stinkin' cute grandkids!

Christmas is over.....

Is anyone else glad Christmas is done for another year?

We went to Christmas eve services at church, and the blizzard started while we were in church. Then we had to drive out to Grain Valley for Christmas festivities with the kids. Fortunately, we made it out there and back without any troubles at all.

I managed to finish two quilts in December...they are quilted and bound! Sierra mentioned she liked the Beatles, so I made her a Beatle quilt. It's very bright and she did like it!

Today, I went to a great sale at Prairie Point...it's hard not to go overboard. But I only purchased fabric for a backing so I can finish another quilt before quilt retreat in February.

Lotta snow goin' on!

Max is sitting here watching out the window, as Jim once again tries to get the snow out of the way! He got called out on a service call today, and had to dig out and hope that the snowplows had come through Raintree today. Yesterday, we spent 2 hours digging the work truck out of the street....and I was the one that was so excited to have a white Christmas!
My poor hubby...he has to get out in this and I get to stay in my sewing room working on a quilt.

Dear Santa,
If you only knew just how much I love the feeling of fabric and how much joy it brings to me every day of the year. You will see that this is a simple request. You see, my family doesn't get it! I've asked them for fabric or even a gift certificate for fabric and they look at me as though I'm odd! They just don't understand me. When I mention fat quarters they think "big chick hiney." When I mention jelly roll, honey bun or even layer cake they head to the kitchen for said, "snacks!" I need help here...from somebody who understands me. I hope you can help and if you too are confused by my fabric request please talk to Mrs. Clause and she will help you. I really love the Civil War Tribute line and would be tickled with any "cut" of fabric you have on hand. Oh and Santa...if you deliver I can really show them there is such a thing as Santa Clause!
Merry Christmas!

That time of year....

I have been struggling with Christmas this year....really wanted to boycott it. And I realized it is all because of expectations not being realized the way I think they should be....so I told myself, let it go and enjoy the beauty of the season.

Today was full of Christmas activities, but the kind that I really enjoy. Forget spending the day shopping and spending money and wondering what to buy. We started our day with a Breakfast with Santa at our church. It was so much fun to watch the little ones come in and visit with Santa, pick out a toy, eat breakfast and make some crafts. This afternoon we went to the Raytown Baptist Church pageant....it was amazing! I really can't say that a professional group could have done it any better. Jim and I have decided to make this a yearly Christmas tradition...it truly brought the meaning of Christmas into my heart. Just what I needed! Then we ate supper with our dearest friends, people that mean as much to us as family.

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Miss Ella! Our grand-daughter has turned two!

Christmas Spirit

I am struggling to get into the Christmas Spirit...then I find something like this.....http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/farmchicks/2009/12/christmas-pantry.html


I think some people have way to much time on their hands...but it is pretty darn cute!

Starry Night

I finished my "Starry Night" quilt in time for decorating for fall....after starting it 3 years ago at a quilt retreat! I love the way it turned out, but I don't think I want to quilt with black thread on a black quilt again! Kept getting lost......

This has not been the week for driving any of our vehicles.....on the way home Tuesday night, the Toyota started acting up. So I drove the tank...Old Blue...Jim's truck to work yesterday, and I decided I probably had some brake issues. Sure enough the rear brake line had ruptured. Jim tried to fix the Toyota so I could drive in today, but I did not get down the highway very far before I realized I was not going to make it! So what will I do with myself today?????

Quilting sounds good.....and there are plenty of leaves waiting to be raked as well. I would much rather make a quilt, so maybe I can break the day up and accomplish both!

Trunk or Treat on 39th Street

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Halloween fun with the boys!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Field trip

Last Saturday, I spent the day with Jordyn at the Deanna Rose Farm. We had a wonderful day...the weather could not have been better! Jordyn fed the goats with a baby bottle...they were hungry and did not hesitate once they saw the bottle in her hand. Jordyn spent the day exploring the farm, riding ponies, mining, making crafts and playing in the playground.

I look at my beautiful little grand-daughter and can't believe she is in kindergarten. Time flies!

When asked what she has learned so far....did you know that the food we eat turns into poop?

Cousins

It has been a very busy week! On Monday, my niece, Ariel, brought her new baby to meet his family in Missouri. What a delightful little guy! We enjoyed watching the cousins interact with one another....Jack was a bit jealous and Caleb enjoyed entertaining John.

Last Friday, we went to see Mama Mia at the Starlight theater. We had a wonderful girls night out...it was a beautiful evening to be outdoors. The production was fantastic!

Labor Day Weekend

Summer is almost over....it goes way to fast! At least it was not stinkin' hot most of the time!

On Friday, my friend, Jenny and I went to Santa-Cali-Gon days in Independence. But first we went to a wonderful consignment clothing shop and found some great buys! Then we walked our feet off in the rain, fortunately there were tents full of crafters, so we did not have to stay in the rain all of the time.

Saturday, Jim worked on the Mustang...got it running!!!! I went to Higginsville to a cute little quilt shop. Came home and worked on my quilt...the borders are all that is left, then the quilting!

Sunday night, we went back to Santa-Cali-Gon Days and listened to the Eagles tribute band...it was actually pretty good! I wanted to go back on Sunday afternoon to listen to the ZZ Top tribute band and the Journey tribute band, but we had all ready planned a family cookout.

Happiness

Happiness is:

Courageously doing what you want to do, even if you are scared.

Experiencing your life as an exciting journey.

Stimulating your mind and caring for your body.

Realizing that you already have everything you need to make yourself happy.

Knowing that you are the only one who can decide what is right or wrong for you.

Accepting that you are okay even when you blunder from your mistakes.

Knowing that what people say or do is a reflection of them and not you.

Listening to your inner wisdom.

Giving and receiving love unconditionally.

I know I am a work in progress and always will be. Each day I realize that I really do have in my possesion what it takes to be happy. It is a journey and with His help it will be a wonderful journey!

Under the stars

Last Friday, we spent a wonderful evening at the Starlight Theater. The performance was "Chicago" and I have to say, I think it was the best show that I have been to at the Starlight. The dancing was fantastic! Fortunately it did not rain and the heat and humidity were not as bad as it had been all week. Jim was still feeling the effects of being on a rooftop working 2 days in a row in the heat, so he was not feeling so great.
Monday night, we had tickets to the Daryl Worley show at the Voodoo lounge at Harrah's. Jenny and John went with us. We had great seats and it was a fun show.

Sunday at Bucca

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Summer colds....

It would seem that I have caught the dreaded summer cold....yucky! I came home early yesterday and put myself to bed for a nap. A little later, I heard the pitter-patter of little feet, and Caleb calling out "Gramma, what are you doing home?" He had come over to watch a favorite tv show that we tape for him every week, and Jack was going to take a nap. I told him I was not feeling well, and he might catch my cold. He said, "oh, that's ok Gramma, we are sick too, so we can stay!" So we watched "Magic Secrets Revealed" and Jack took his nap!

Jim and I are enjoying our deck this summer. We purchased a "balcony" table and chair set for the upper deck. The weather has been wonderful, and we eat out on the deck as often as we can. The biggest problem would be the darn mosquitos!!!!

For love is sufficient unto love....

Today, we helped two of our dearest friends celebrate their anniversary of six years at Buca di Beppo. Joe and Grace, as well as John and Jenny helped us to honor Finis and Jean, and their commitment and love for each other. We are fortunate to have such a loving circle of friends!

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart",

but rather, I am in the heart of God."

New little quilt

It seems to get harder and harder to find time to quilt! But I did finish this little quilt and have another one ready to bind. I so enjoy making Jo Morton's designs, using her reproduction fabrics...the colors go with everything! After I finish sewing new curtains for the sewing room, I hope to do some more quilting...there is one pinned and ready to quilt.

This morning, as I watered my flowers, I just had to pick a few and make some arrangements to place around the house. Here is one of them sitting on my new little quilt.

On the deck.....

Jordyn was lots of help building our new deck. She really wanted to operate the drill, but was content to distribute the screws!

We are getting closer to being done! Can't wait!

Now where is that hot tub??????

Caleb is 5!

On Monday, Caleb turned 5.....how time flies. He is growing up to fast! He recieved several new costumes, and it was great fun to watch him model all of them for us! I think he is a drama queen....who knows, maybe he will be in the theater? I love his imagination and verbal skills. He is so much fun and very much a blessing in our lives.

God is good! He has blessed me with wonderful, loving children and grandchildren, and a loving, devoted husband. My cup runneth over.

Birthday Boy!

First Birthday!

Yesterday was Jack's first birthday....a year can sure fly by so quickly! What is Jack doing at one year old? Mainly climbing and trying to keep up with his big brother!

He can climb up the ladder to the top of Caleb's bunk bed, and has been known to climb to the top of the slide at the playground.

Ahhh! the smell of nitro!

Last Sunday, we went to Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas.....to the hot-rod races. It was my Christmas gift to Jim, and my first experience at a major race. It was noisy and it was HOT! and it got hotter as the day went on. I was quite surprised at the concussion that I felt every time one of those cars took off. And I was so glad to have ear muffs on!

Matt and Jim had a good time, and surprisingly, Jim wore out before me! Would I go again? Maybe........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Jordyn is 5 today! And she is the cutest, sweetest little girl! I cannot believe that 5 years have come and gone since the day she was born......seems like last year! I was lamenting at how fast she is growing up today, and was reminded by someone that some children will never grow up. Due in large part to developmental disablities. So I am thankful that my precious little grand-daughter will continue to grow up. She is a blessing in our lives!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

through the tulips

On Thursday, Jim and I packed up the little Toyota and headed north to Pella, Iowa for the Tulip Festival. We arrived just in time for the parade and then a nice thunderstorm rolled through. Friday was spent exploring the town, admiring the tulips, people watching, tasting a Dutch taco, listening to the sound of wooden shoes on the brick streets, and dodging thunderstorms. We could not believe the large number of people that travel to Pella for the festival! Fortunately, it was not a "stem festival" and the tulips were in full bloom for the festivities. How do they know?????

Weekend

We sure pack a lot into the weekend! Can't wait until I can retire!
Saturday was spent celebrating my birthday...Jim took me flower shopping. Later we went to the Brookside Art Fair, and I had a surprise birthday party with our friends. He did a very good job of keeping it a secret....I never suspected a thing!
Jordyn called and sang Happy Birthday to me....I so love her sweet little voice! And Caleb called to say he was sorry he could not come to my birthday party as he had 2 birthday parties to go to on Saturday. He would try to make it next year! LOL! He has learned my cell number and calls often.
On Sunday I was confirmed into the church, and it was a wonderful ceremony. I am so fortunate to have found such a loving church family!
We spent the afternoon mowing and planting flowers....finally a day without rain!
Then back to work....groan! I pray for armor and out the door I go! At least I only have to work 3 days this week....

As the world turns....

Wow...so much has happened since I last posted, and all are good!
Met Prince Charming on May 3, 2008 and it was love at first sight! We got married at the Justice of the Peace on October 17, 2008 and had our church wedding a few weeks ago on April 18, 2009.
Last night, was my baptismal ceremony...it was wonderful. My husband performed the baptism, and the service was perfect. I am so blessed to have this wonderful church family! The confirmation will be on this coming Sunday and I am so looking forward to it!