G'Owens On Round Here

Not goodbye....

2010-03-11T23:12:00.002+09:00

Life. It can sure become crazy and full in a moments notice.

Mine sure has.

There are a lot of "feeeeelings" going on over here at Chez' Owens with all of the changes about to happen. None that I feel right blogging about. It is never easy for a military family to have a parent go off for an extended period of time. Going to war? One of the hardest things ever.

I think it's time to take a little break from blogging. We are going to spend our remaining time together as a family doing.......I guess just doing stuff. Maybe a picnic here or there. Walks. Laying in bed and talking about nothing. Laughing. Holding hands when the "worrieds" get the best of us.

This blog has been a wonderfully amazing experience. I've met some of the best women. Thank you for taking time out of your busy days to leave a comment or two. Thank you even more for opening your hearts and sharing bits of your lives. I hope we can continue to email back and forth and I will definitely still visit your own blogs. For now though I'm going to keep quiet on mine to be with my family.

I do have a huge favor to ask.....Please keep our military families in your thoughts and prayers. There are so many of us out there who are getting our loved ones ready to be shipped out. We see the big green duffel bags packed with war type things. We sit next to our daughters as they try and process what this will mean for them. We deal with the nightmares that something bad will happen to their daddy's. We deal with our own worry that we can't share but hide in the secret places of our hearts. We cherish the times when we are out eating lunch with our husbands.....they with their uniforms on...and a stranger comes over to shake their hand. To say thank you for serving. It means so much more then you will ever know. And please don't forget me. I'll be back after things settle down a bit. I just have some hugging and back rubbing and big dinner making and long walks to take.

Big hugs to everyone,
Dawn

2010-02-24T11:23:00.002+09:00

A couple of weeks ago I called the counselor at The Boo-Bears school. Just wanted to let her know that The Major would be deploying in a bit and could she just keep an ear to the ground to make sure my girl was holding it all together. She said she would. I got busy with life and forgot about the phone call until yesterday. I asked Boo-Bear if she had talked to her counselor. She says.....and I quote....

"Oh, you mean my therapist? Yes, we talked but it was private momma."

Ummm well okay then.
My goodness that child cracks me up.

I got one leaving the nest..........

2010-02-23T08:32:00.004+09:00

My son got his date to leave for Basic Training this afternoon. And because the Universe is a woman with horrid PMS he will be leaving before my husband gets home. Ah joy. I get to ship one off to war and the other I will be shipping off to start his new life and praying that he will not be joining his father. Praying that he will be doing something much safer and closer to home.

Soooooooooooooooooo where am I now you ask??? I am hiding in my room. Seriously. I am sitting on my bed with my faithful dog next to me and the laptop in my lap. I have already sent out the SOS email to my Ya-Ya's and they responded immediately.

Ladies? What did we do before Ya-Ya's I ask you???

Tonight my husband and I were sitting on the couch and I looked at him. I said "Can you even believe that our first born is about to leave the nest?" Then he hugged me and said "I know."

When The Son got the call you should have seen his face. Oh my gosh was he excited.
Remember that feeling?? It's like your life is all there before you and it's waiting for you to step into it. Adulthood!! No parents!!! Your own decisions!!! I am so ridiculously happy for him. He got the job he wanted and will be traveling quite a bit.
Wanna know the best part of today? It was when I was cooking dinner. Just in there minding my own business. He came in and said "hey mom...." then he grabbed me up for a hug.

Just a hug.

Then he went about his business while I looked out the kitchen window for a bit. Wanna know what I saw out that window? I saw the four year old he used to be. The one who asked me once....when I was getting ready for a party......after I'd had his little sister and was not feeling very svelte...he says to me with his brown eyes so very big....."Mommy, are you a princess?!"

Excuse me while I find some tissue.

The Great Ya-Ya Reunion 2010 Cont.......

2010-02-15T03:06:00.003+09:00

Oh Int-netz....the fun that is being had here in Nashville!!! We checked out the Grand Ole Opry and waited to meet Carrie Underwood but alas, she had other things to do and had no idea the Ya-Ya's were in town for a much needed reunion.

This man was a sweetie pie and took pictures of us. He used each of our cameras and told us to have a good time while in Nashville. Can I just say that the people here are lovely. Absolutely lovely.

Ahhhhhh Opry, you had us at hello.

Here is our Paige. All happy to be with Flat Jen. Speaking of our Paige....her husband handed her a plane ticket for Christmas. He told her she would be getting on the plane, no questions asked. She had no idea what was waiting for her on the other side and has been going crazy trying to find out. We were all sworn to secrecy.

Oh the screaming when we saw her coming down the escelator....oh the tears.....oh the happiness.....the jumping up and down and screaming some more. There is nothing like having a friend you love like a sister.....a friend you haven't seen in two years.....coming down an escalator in an airport towards you. Nothing. I highly recommend it.

Next up will be pictures from the Rick Springfield concert we went to. I cannot tell you the fun that was had. We made friends with the people sitting next to us. We made friends with our waitress and danced with her. A lot. We made friends with the towel attendant in the bathroom and may have danced with her. We made friends while waiting for our driver. We made friends with the librarian who was in our van. We felt badly for her husband when she told their private intimate business and then exclaimed "well hell! we won't ever see them again anyway!!" Loved her. I think she may be my soul sister.

Okay, off to the Tour of Stars Homes.

Ya-Ya!!

The Great Ya-Ya Reunion 2010

2010-02-15T02:51:00.004+09:00

One of our Ya-Ya's has a hubby fighting for Truth Justice and the American Way...which means he is deployed. Again. For like the 4th time. Our Ya-Ya?? Missing him terribly and holding on by a small thin thread. He....being a very good husband...realized this and sent out the SOS. He called the Ya-Ya's and said that he would pay for a weekend at a very lovely hotel in Nashville if we could all just get there. We, of course, said yes and bought tickets back before Thanksgiving. With one of us who's husband has just gotten home from a deployment...one of us who's husband is deployed now...and one of us looking at a looming deployment...being away for a weekend of talking laughing and eating was a very good thing. One of our Ya-Ya's couldn't make it so we improvised....meet Flat Jen everyone!!!

Flat Jen is very tired from her travel day and needed a nap. Hi Flat Jen!!

It has been the perfect weekend in every possible way. There has been a lot of lounging.....

And much consuming of this......

Some nighttime sitting here.....

Sleeping on the best beds known to man.....

and walking...and talking...and laughing so hard my tummy hurts.....and eating...and eating....and did I mention the eating??????! I have a bunch of pictures I want to get on here but today we are going on a tour of the Country Music Hall Of Fame and I need to get ready.

Happy days folks!!! Happy happy days!!

Stephen King.....

2010-02-06T23:05:00.006+09:00

Allrighty Int-netz....very serious question for you that has nothing to do with the love of my life being deployed here very shortly to parts unknown....places unheard of.....the man I have loved since I was a weeeeeeeeeeee 15 years old going "over there" sniiiiifffff. Yeah, nothing to do with all of that. My question is this:

I got a Nook (fabulousfabulousloveitmorethenlifeluvluvluvluvluv!!!) for Christmas. It had to be back ordered cause they were sold out. It came at the beginning of February. I am embarrassed at the number of ebooks I have on there already. It is only the 10th. I orederd another book last night. When my husband asked me I was ordering ANOTHER BOOK! I may have said no. I may need an intervention...but not yet cause the new JD Robb and Sooky Stackhouse books are coming out soon. And I may have pre-ordered them. heh.

My question dear friends is....do you download Stephen King if you have a Nook or a Kindle?? Do you have Stephen King books in your house?? I love Stephen King and read him whenever I go into Barnes and Noble aka Sanctuary To My Soul but bring him home? Nope. Why you ask?? Ummmmmmm, don't laugh okay.........I'm scared that stuff in his books are going to hop out and get me in the middle of the night. There! I said it! I feel lighter already. I'm totally nervous that if I download his newest book in my Nook that the dark forces whom prowl around looking for mamby pambys like myself will hop out of there in the middle of the night and eat half of my face off. They will probably look like clowns too and that just makes me shiver in my parts and pieces. Did I ever tell you that when Cabbage Patch dolls were popular my grandmother had big ones made for the two oldest granddaughters and heh...I was one of the lucky ones?? Yep. Scared me to death. I hated that thing. I just knew it came alive in the middle of the night and walked over to my bed and looked at me. She and I would have a stare down every night before I went to sleep. I would tell her that I wasn't scared of her and she would stare back at me all silently like and spooky-thinking in her doll head that oh yes I was and just wait til I shut my eyes cause then she was gonna walk over and luuuuuuuuuk at me......and possibly eat half of my face off.

So what say you on the Stephen King books?? Download or not download?? Has anyone downloaded a book of his (looking at you reader extraordinaire Mary!!) and not had their face half eaten off? Hmmmm did ya read him and make it out alive?? Inquiring minds need to know.

Thank you and good day.

Sirens....

2010-02-06T22:57:00.003+09:00

It is Saturday morning here in snow filled Ohio. The ice storm came as predicted and lasted for hours. Then snow. More snow. Lotsa snow. It is still snowing.

You know what's weird about it though? The sirens are going off. You know the emergency broadcast sirens that come on to warn us that disaster is immanent? Yeah, those sirens. I keep looking outside to see what is what and I only see snow. It's coming down very softly and really, we only got about 6 inches. Compared to DC what do we have to be all sireny about??

SEE! There they go again. Does it mean the end of the world is nigh?? Should I get out from under my quilt and not drink the rest of my very lovely cup of coffee?? If the end of the world is nigh I should probably go and take a shower. You can't run around outside yelling "life as we know it is coming to an end!! Run!! Run for you lives!!" if you don't have makeup on and poofy hair.

Oops, sirens stopped. I guess the end of the world isn't nigh. Nope, there they go again. The nigh is getting closer. I'm going to go and peek outside to see if there is a black cloud of destruction headed my way. Hold on, I'll report back in a minute.....................

Nope. Nothing. Nada. I did see a snow plow and a neighbor is shoveling his sidewalk like nothing is happening. Hmmmmmmmmmmm very interesting happenings here this morning. I must make another cup of coffee and contemplate things.

Stay warm everyone!!

2010-02-06T07:26:00.005+09:00

You know the commercial with Michelle Obama?? The one where she is talking about doing good things and ummmmmmmmmmm well I forget what else she talks about but it's on all the time.

Wanna know why I can't remember what she talked about?? I can't stop looking at her eyebrows.

Seriously. I cannot look away. While she is waxing poetic on how to help people and other very important things I keep thinking "Guuuuuuuuuuuuurl what happened to your eyebrows and do you know they look like that??!!"

Am I the only one who noticed??

I mean I totally love Michelle Obama and want to be BFFs. I can see us sipping cosmos together and dishing on what her husband said the other night and CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE HE WENT THERE??! We would have Besty-Sleepovers and she would let me stay in The Lincoln bedroom. After we had a couple us a couple of those cosmos......and put on our PJs....... we would ding dong ditch members of Congress. After a night of fun we would be drifting off to sleep. Secure in the knowledge we had put the F in fun......I wouldn't be able to resist asking her......"Miiiiiiiiicccccccccchhhhhhelle....pssssst....chelly (my BFF nickname for her) what's up with the eyebrows???"

giggle.

p.s. you guys rock. thanks for the wonderfuly kind words and the support. seriously. I had to get the tissue out. It means a lot and I really really appreciate it.
hugs!
giggle.

Ahhhh life.....you sucketh this week.

2010-02-06T01:49:00.002+09:00

The hubby has been gone this week doing Major-ish things. I've been holding down the fort with the kiddos which means I get to watch what I want on TV and sleep on the couch......ever vigilant for things that go bump in the night. He calls me every night which is really nice. What did we do in the days without cell phones I ask ya?? Anyway, there I was the other night. Sitting on the couch watching TV with my laptop in my lap and some goldfish crackers by my side. Waiting for him to call. When the phone rang I hopped on there with a very perky "Hey there baby-cakes!" We talked for awhile and then he says to me, "Listen, I have some bad/good news." I'm thinking he's going to tell me that they are being delayed and have to stay a couple of days longer. Ahhhh if only. He tells me that his number has come up and he is being deployed. The good news? He only has to go for around 8 months. Not 12 or 15.

I have now re-read that sentence a total of 5 times. I am trying to get my brain around it. Hmmm. Carrying on.....after he drops that bomb I sit there. Those goldfish crackers are no longer looking as yummy as they did a mere 5 minutes ago. What to say? We sit in silence for a bit. Both of us trying to absorb what this means.

This is a scenario that has played out on telephones.....emails.......face to face conversations...for 9 years now. The other night it was my turn to be all strong and supportive. I really really really didn't want to be. I wanted to ask if this could be a mistake. Or could he call someone and tell them no. Neither one being an option I asked him how he felt. He says he feels good, that it's his turn to go and when it's your turn to go, you go and that it will go fast and we have email and Skype and it will all be okay. Also he says it's not like he will be on the front lines or driving a tank like so many of our young men and women. In my heart I am saying that sure I know that and yeah that is such a great thing but you will be gone. Who will put their foot on mine right before we go to sleep? Who but he understands my love of mint chocolate chip ice cream? Who will I read MSNBC.com to at night? And don't forget the kids. They adore him. How will I tell them their father is going "over there." ??????? When we were about to hang up he asked me if I was okay and then he said he loved me very much. I told him I loved him too and that yes, I was okay. I know what it means to be a military wife. He said he would call me in the morning and we said goodbye. I laid on the couch and wondered what to think. No, I didn't enjoy any more goldfish crackers.

I told the kids yesterday. The oldest was strong. He may be over there as well soon.Yeah, not even thinking about that right now. Our 17 year old absorbed the news and went upstairs to be alone. The Boo-Bear sobbed in my arms. She asked me who would watch Sanford and Son with her while he was gone. Would he have to carry a gun. Would people be shooting at her daddy.

Another conversation women have been having for toooo many years now.

This my friends out in blogland is what military spouses do. We support. We pack suitcases. We worry and pray. We hold our children while they try and make sense of things. We walk around with the phone attached to our hip so we don't miss a phone call. We write letters full of everything is fine and yes, we are all okay. We hold down the fort and try to make a life full of change a little bit more constant.

Now it's my turn.
Someone pass the M&Ms.

A Storm!!

2010-02-04T21:29:00.002+09:00

The weather people are all over the TV today. Seems we have a big storm coming our way. It should start tomorrow morning and last into Saturday night. They started posting warnings last night. I thought woooooooah we are going to get hit and get hit hard. I thought snow would be predicted in feet! Ice everywhere! Catastrophe! End of Ohio as we know it!! Oh me Oh my!!!

Guess how many inches.....yep inches....we are predicted to get??

4.

We'll try and hang on as long as we can.

Heard while at dinner....

2010-02-03T21:20:00.002+09:00

I took the girls to a rib place last night..........mmmmmmmm buck a bone night!!...and while we were waiting in line The Boo Bear was telling me I needed to fill out a form so she could take Motrin during the day at school if she felt a headache coming on. My girl likes to be prepared for any and all aches and pains. She told me that if I didn't fill out the form and she got caught with some Motrin in her backpack they treat it just like having real drugs. Our conversation went thusly....

Her: Momma....momma....momma....

Me: What??

Her: I brought home a green form that you need to fill out so the nurse knows I can take Motrin.

Me: Why do you need to take Motrin?

Her: I might get a headache.

Me: OK, now stop talking to me while I figure out how many ribs I want.

Her: Yeah and if you don't fill out the form and I have Motrin in my backpack you can get in trouble like if you had real drugs.

Me: Hmmmmmmmmmmm maybe 6...no 7......7 ribs should just about do me. Ohhhhhh they have cornbread!

Her: It would be like if I had Pot in my backpack!! Or Weed!

Me: Honey, you do know that Weed and Pot are the same thing right?

Her: They are??

This is when everyone in line starts laughing hysterically. Me included.

Her very insulted now: You know maybe you should be happy that I didn't know the difference!

She is so very right. heeheeheeheehee

2010-02-02T21:56:00.002+09:00

I have a question for you Oh Wise and All Knowing Int-netz.........how are you at having your plans changed at the last minute??

For instance....if you think that you are getting the car and have a whole day of fabric shopping and out amongst the people-ing and you wake up to get ready and then you ask your husband why he isn't waking up and getting ready to go where he needs to go AND then he says "oh, I don't have to be anywhere til 4." Does your head pop off? I mean does it pop off quietly inside of yourself while you look at him wondering what this means for your fabric shopping and amongst the people-ing? What do you do when you realize this has changed the whole day?

Hmmmmmmm?? Inquiring minds want to know.

2010-02-01T23:08:00.003+09:00

The mountain of laundry I have in the hallway?? It is peeking at me from around the corner. I just saw a sock and it asked me when I was going to get off of the couch to get started on the washing that needs to be done. I am on my third cup of coffee. On cleaning day I need at least three cups to fortify me before I get started.
You know how you have so much laundry to do that you sort of sit down and look at it wondering where it all went wrong? Where you lost control of the situation?? This is me today my friends.

I may boycott the whole shebang and go shopping. Not that I have a car at my disposal or anything as the hubby went off to work but this will not stop me. There are movies to see....books to be perused over.....fabric to fondle....lunch to be eaten at Applebees!! I am woman hear me roar and I don't do laundry!!! I am free!!! Watch me run!!!

sigh. I have to go now. The socks have started a revolt and are planning a take over.

2010-01-31T21:49:00.002+09:00

We are going back to church.

Today is the day. We've been trying to get out of the house for the past two weekends and it's been a no go. The girls were sick or we overslept and no...I did not turn the alarm off oh so quietly and sneak downstairs for a lovely cup of coffee by my side and the Sunday newspaper in my lap. Nope. Not me.

The hubby was serious this week. We were gonna go to church. Can I explain the hardest thing about getting ready for church? It is getting out of bed. Oh man alive is it hard. It's cold outside. Really cold. Our temperature right now is 8. Yep. 8. I was laying in bed with a cocoon of covers all around me and I was waaaaaaa-aaarm. The hubby was waaaaarm and had his foot touching mine. I was in that in-between place where you are kind of still asleep but kind of awake. Oh I was comfy. Our duvet was in just the right place and my pillow was scrunched in just the right way. Then I hear "D......D....you gonna wake up the girls?" For just one second I wanted to punch him. I laid there trying to pretend to be so asleep that he would say "Oh look how cute she is....I'll just leave her alone" but no. That's not the way we roll around here. To get the ball rolling the (cue hero music) the mom needs to be AWAKE. My husband (and yes he's right) was missing going to church as a family and not another Sunday would pass without us sitting as one in a pew.

So did I wake up with a joyful heart?? Well..........my heart didn't start really feeling joyful til my second cup of coffee but I did get out of bed and wake the girls up nicely. I am now dressed and ready and working on my third cup. The hair is floofed and the jewelry is picked out.
We are off to church.
And the people said Amen.
:)

2010-01-30T23:26:00.003+09:00

The other day when I was at the place called the Doorway to Hell aka the gym, I decided to shake things up a bit and hop on a machine I'd never tried before. It looks kinda like a stair stepper but kind of like a skiing thing. There was a guy next to me going to town and I thought "Meh, how hard can it be?" heh.

I smiled at him as I got myself situated. He smiled back and kept going at a speed of about fortyleven. I put my feet where they needed to go and put my earphones in my ears. I picked a song..... Baby by Justin Bieber cause I turn into a 12 year old girl when I workout. I looked over the very large and very full of buttons control panel and decided to press the one marked ON cause my momma dint raise herself no fools.

That thing took off like a bat out of hell and I almost fell off while trying to find the OFF button. The man next to me tried very hard not to laugh. I think I heard him snort. I gave him my best "do not even go there dude....I am a woman who has not had a Pepsi in T minus 8 days and I'm on the edge looking at crazy" while I hopped off to figure out my next plan of attack.

Thank you to all that is holy that this machine was in the back of the room.

I got back on, restarted Justin on the I-Pod and tentatively hit the ON button again. I could see funny man watching me. That machine took off again but I was ready this time. I hung in there for a total of 10 minutes. Do you have any idea how long 10 minutes is?? It. Is. A. Very. Long. Time.

I was pretty proud of myself for hanging in there as long as I did. I may have had a swagger when I walked back downstairs to wait for my hubby to finish his workout. I sat next to a man waiting for his wife. He was asleep. I almost fell asleep while waiting.

Now someone open me a Pepsi.

Biggest Loser....

2010-01-27T11:21:00.004+09:00

Anyone watch the show Biggest Loser? We love that show in this house....that one and American Idol. Tonight we watched both of them. Let us talk about Biggest Loser shall we?

You know, I was feeling pretty good about doing my two miles on the treadmill until I saw this show. I gotta step it up. This year one of my goals was to lose some poundage and get healthier. Why is it that as soon as your body figures out that you are doing a life change thing it gets all panicky and you are hungry all the time??? Anyone else go through that?? I've been waking up hungry. Food calling me from the fridge. It's awful. I've been meal planning and recipe reading to try and do some different things. I think maybe I was born in the wrong era. I totally would do great as a Renaissance Woman! Painters would get me to pose for them as they would be enamored of my curves. I could lay around all day eating bon bons. sigh. Wrong era for sure.

So as 2010 is the year I finally stop making excuses for myself and start working out and eating better I have been looking in my cookbooks and going to Barnes and Noble looking through magazines for some recipes. For the first time in a long time my family is excited to see what I'm making for dinner as there are some new things I'm trying.

As for tomorrow?? I am going to hit that treadmill and hit it hard. Then I may do some lunges. Then I may complain a bit. Then I may do some.....wait for it people...I may do a sit up or ten. It has been 8 years since I've done a sit up.

God Help Me.

Serial Killer At My Door.....

2010-01-26T11:05:00.003+09:00

Oh Int-Netz!!! You are not gonna believe what I did today!! Oh the horror!!! Oh the craziness!!! Oh if Oprah could have seen!!!!

I had just woken up from a very satisfying nap. One which I had to take cause I talked to the doctor about my "Vitamins" and yeah, that makes me very exhausted feeling in my brain so after a two hour trip to Barnes and Noble a nap was next up. So there I was. Just woke up from a nap. Feeling a little hungry so I went to the kitchen for a biscotti (lemon) when it happened. I heard a knock at the door. Duh Duh Duh!!! I peeked out of our side window to see who it could be and I saw an old truck with two ladders on the side and some other men type things. I went to the door to peek out the window and a little old man was standing there holding out a name badge. I opened the door very carefully and he gave me this big smile. I know!!! He had serial killer written all over him!!!! He told me he was from Time Warner Cable and that he was making house calls to check on the work of the phone installer that had come to the house a couple of weeks ago. He said some of them were not installing phones right and he needed to see if there was some box attached. Now this whole time I am standing there not saying a word and wondering if my num-chuck skills are going to be needed. He again shows me his badge and tells me it's okay and then smiles again.

Int-netz.....I let him in.

I know!! I can hear you yelling "oh no Dawn you didnt!!!"

I did. I was caught unawares and not fully awake and OMG if Oprah was here she would have my head as she has done any number of shows on just this type of thing!! I swear if he would have asked me to help him find his puppy I would have gone. And all because he smiled at me and said it was okay......and he kinda looked like a grandpa.

I totally re-thought my decision when I was watching him crawl around on my floor checking our phone line and even wondered what I would do if he whipped out his screw-driver and came after me. It was then I started to get really worried. So as he's crawling around I tell him all nonchalantly "my husband is home but he is upstairs." "Upstairs very close and probably listening right this very minute" annnnnnnnnnnnd just in case he wasn't as concerned as he should be I through in...... "he is a body builder." and I may have said "Please do not kill me cause I have a Nook coming soon from Barnes and Noble and I will really be bummed if I die before I can use it."

Thankfully he was not a killer of unsuspecting women who have just woken up from a nap. I am, however, on restriction from opening up the door during the day so if anyone comes by and I do not answer this is why. Plus ....just a little FYI to any future phone checkers that come a knockin.......today I bought 6 very large German Sheppard type dogs. And maybe a Pit Bull. Possibly the rabid dog from Cujo.

Just saying.

quilt pics!!

2010-01-25T09:19:00.002+09:00

Where in the world does the time go I ask ya?? Sheesh. It's like once you hit 40 you can blink and a week has gone by.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment about the son entering the Air Force. There are still a few comments I need to respond to...please don't think I have forgotten. Life has been busy! :)

So he is all sworn in and the next step is to find out when he leaves for basic training. He is going to get one of his top two choices for jobs. Both of them will find him in an airplane. Not flying them but doing other things. Great job for him as he will get to travel. I plan on stocking up on the "vitamins" and talk to my doctor about some Ambien. heh

On to quilt pics!!!! Our Judy asked the quilting community if anyone wanted to try out a pattern she was working on. This was before Christmas. I jumped on the chance cause if you've seen her work you know her quilts turn out beautifully and her patterns are really easy to follow. Here is my take...........the family loves it! I have it over the back of our long couch and have already tested it to see if it is nap worthy. It is. :)
Next up is a quilt kit I bought when I was at the Fabric Shack here in Ohio. Shoot! I forgot who designed this one. I'll look that up when I am not lolling about in bed being a woman of leisure who blogs while in pjs.
Last but not least is an Angel Babies wall hanging I finished just last night. I got the pattern for free on this site. It's by Sindy Rodenmayer. This is the next one to be put on the frame.
Cute right!!

Allrighty, that's all I got. Lots of things going on just not anything really exciting. I did have a serial killer at my door today and I just knew he was gonna get me with his screwdriver but that my friends is a story for tomorrow. heeheehee
hugs everyone!!!

The Son....

2010-01-13T21:29:00.002+09:00

Things have been busy this week here at Chez' Owens. Our son is getting ready to sign up for the Air Force. Papers have had to be found.......other papers have been read and signed.....many talks about the future going on over there.
Today I take him to the recruiters office so he can get on a bus with other young men and women. They will stay the night in a hotel in Columbus. All of them will take a 4 hour test......a physical........some more paperwork....and then tomorrow I pick him up. After that we wait for him to be called up. He is pretty excited to get his life started. I thought maybe he'd help his momma out and pick some safe jobs. heh. I was wrong. My baby wants to travel and be in airplanes and jump out of them. He wants to see everything and go everywhere and try everything.
I just smile and tell him I support him but my insides are saying "WHA?????????"
So that is what's been going on this week. I have a couple of quilts to post and American Idol to talk about...who out there misses crazy Paula?? Raise your hands....but that will have to wait for later on tonight. This morning I am taking my grown up boy out for breakfast. I want to make sure he is well fed before he leaves. Then I'll hug him and maybe cry a bit. It's a mothers prerogative to cry a bit when their babies are a leaving them. Even if it's just for an overnight trip. A very important overnight trip.

Have a good one everybody!!

2010-01-11T09:59:00.003+09:00

Walker Leigh's hubby just got home from being deployed for a year.

A year int-netz. 365 days.

Welcome home big guy!!!!! WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU HERE AT CHEZ OWENS!!

2010-01-08T23:17:00.002+09:00

This morning the kids got a snow day. No school for them so they are sleeping late. The hubby left for work about 10 minutes ago. I was walking around the house thinking of what to do first when I remembered I had some Red Vine licorice hidden in my sewing cabinet. I gave a fist pump of joy and said out loud "Best day ever!!"

Do you think this means I am easy to please??

hahahahaha

SSCS......

2010-01-08T23:13:00.002+09:00

Just wanted to take a moment and show what I got during the SSCS that Chookyblue put on for us.
The person who got my name was Fiona.
I just love everything she sent!! The needles are wonderful and I've already put them in the needle keep she made. Now I just need to figure out what my next stitching project is going to be.

Thanks so much to Chookyblue for having the swap and thank you to Fiona for her wonderful gifts!!

Tonight....

2010-01-07T07:50:00.002+09:00

Tonight I have co-co-van (does anyone really know how to spell that???!) cooking in the oven. Baby portibello mushrooms with some asparagus thrown in and topped with Parmesan cheese will happen soon. Some rolls and a lovely cranberry vodka will round out the meal. Also?? I am making an apple crostata for dinner....but you know what I really want?? What I really and truly want int-netz??

My brothers.

I want to call my brothers......all three of them.....and tell them to come over for dinner where I can fuss over them and refill their plates while touching them on the shoulder when I pass their chair. And I want to laugh at their jokes cause the three of them are the funniest dag-on men you ever will meet. Each in their own individual way. I just want to sit and feel all full of love for them while they talk to my kids. I want to hug them and call them Charlie. I want to have to take a running leap over their legs while they sit on my floor cause good golly miss molly are they tall! I want to feed them apple crostata till they are so full they pop. I just want them here so I can look at them and smile.

My heart is all squeezy feeling for them tonight.

Just wanted you to know.

Ahhhh the life....

2010-01-04T22:57:00.003+09:00

The hubby has not been sleeping well for the past couple of night and ladies out there you know this means I have not been sleeping well.
Last night I announced that I would be sleeping on the couch and for no one to bother me because by gosh! I was going to get a good nights sleep!

This morning, after everyone left for school and work, I came into the living room to tidy up and this is who I found underneath the covers sleeping oh so wonderfully. hahahahaha She woke up just as I took a picture. I wonder if she jumped up there, got cozy and thought to herself "Yep, she put all of this here just for me!"
It's good to be queen here at Chez' Owens.

Christmas post and SSCS gifts...

2010-01-04T21:04:00.008+09:00

Everyone goes back to their proper places this morning so I now have time to blog. Happy day!

Christmas was great this year. There were SSCS gifts received and loved from Fiona...... I will post a picture later on. I thought I took a picture but can't find it on the computer so I shot an email to Chookyblue to see if I could borrow the one she has. As soon as I get an okay I'll put the picture up. :)

Here are some of our Christmas pics...much happened. There was eating and laughing and eating and laughing and Avatar watching (lurrrrved it!!) Also there was......

A last Christmas with this guy since he is joining the Air Force and will be gone by April to basic training...sob...

Boyfriends came over.........

The living room threw up wrapping paper.....

The Rents were enjoyed.........

Uncles woke up early to open gifts with a smile on their faces........

My daddy was loved on and fussed over..... just noticed that little tear on the pillow there...hmmm must fix that today.

One brother came to a house of ours for the very first time and can I say that I was thrilled!!!...

This was the scene BEFORE I put out the presents hidden in my closet. Yeah, I know, lots and lots of gifts. Just looking at this picture makes me giggle!

The best Christmas picture of the day. Our Boo Bear really really IswearIwillneveraskforanythingaslongasIlive really wanted a mini laptop for Christmas. We told her it was to expensive and to ask for something else. Little did she know we had one in our closet all wrapped and waiting for her.

She cried.

It was awesome.

Look! We even got snow. It was just a perfect couple of days in every possible way.
Next year, crossing fingers, my other brother will be able to be here!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!

Happy Holidays!!

2009-12-31T02:42:00.002+09:00

Whew! Life is a-busy right now. I got ready for the Rents....and my brothers....they came...they unwrapped...they ate...I took two days to clean up from all the being merry....I took pictures....my kids stole the batteries to my camera....I'll be back after the New Year.

Happy Holidays everyone. Be safe.

2009-12-16T21:52:00.003+09:00

A couple of Christmases ago we started a new tradition. After dinner we head out to see a movie. This year Sherlock Holmes is on the agenda. The hubby is excited....the bros want to see it...my dad is going.....my kids are psyched....but guess what?? The youngest wants to see that Chipmunk movie instead. Plus? Sherlock Holmes is rated PG-13 so I'm not to sure she should see it anyway. What to do what to do? The other day she said to me "Hey momma, instead of seeing Sherlock Holmes maybe you and I could see the Chipmunk movie!" Then she grinned at me cause hello! Seeing the Chipmunk movie instead of Robert Downey Jr!! Great idea!!
heh.
I saw my husband smile out of the corner of my eye. He was smiling cause he isn't the momma and he gets to see Sherlock Holmes with all the grown up people while I will be trying not to stab my eye out watching the Chipmunks.

Someone better get me a really good Christmas present that's all I'm saying.

Giveaway.....

2009-12-15T22:45:00.003+09:00

There is a great giveaway going on at the Jolly Jabber folks!! You only need to pick out some wonderful things that you wish for and post it on your blog. Easy Peasy!! Oh, and you have to write a note to Santa letting him in on the whole thing.

Dear Santa,
I was a very good girl this year. Really. I was. Don't listen to the hubby.....he hasn't been himself lately and doesn't understand my need for more fabric. So since I was such a good girl I was thinking maybe I could give you some ideas as to what to put in my stocking this year. See!! I'm "helping" which is what all good girls do. :)

Just look here Santa. Look at the fabulesness that is this fat quarter bundle. It just makes me feel all "sighing" inside.

Or look at this pattern from Bunny Hill....who I adore by the way. I would be ever so happy to have this under the tree. It would keep my hands busy at night while the kids and the hubby have total control of the TV. Not that I am bitter about sharing the TV Santa. I'm not. Uh-uh. Not me. I am a sharer type of girl which is why I should totally have this pattern. :)
Thank You ever so much Santa Clause!!!
Hugs to Mrs. Clause!
Dawn

Winter come-eth...

2009-12-10T21:56:00.002+09:00

When I took the dog out for her morning walk yesterday this is what our sky looked like.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

10 minutes later it looked like this. Doesn't that picture just say "Chicken soup......roaring fire in the fireplace.....warm toasty socks.....candy canes.....getting under a warm quilt and reading a book". The wind was blowing and there was promise of a storm headed our way. People were getting slammed with snow....which means my kids wore their PJs inside out and backwards last night. What?? You didn't know that's how you get a snow day to happen??
This morning I woke up to snow. About an 18th of an inch....but still! Snow! Now I just need to get that chicken soup started. :)

This guy came to visit me and wanted his breakfast today. Sorry the picture is blurry but they sure do move fast. I started to call them before I put food out over the summer. There is a big one that comes running as soon as I call now. It's pretty neat. My husband didn't think it was so neat though when he came home the other day and found the squirrels eating bits of pound cake. Sigh. Does the man not know that even squirrels need a little sumpin sumpin now and then??

Stay warm everyone!!

Trimming the tree......

2009-12-07T09:23:00.004+09:00

With The Rents and two of my brothers spending Christmas here at Chez' Owens I finally got around to decking some halls. We'd tried for a solid week to get the tree done but with two kids feeling all grown it was hard to find them all home at one time. Saturday I told everyone to be home or be square and that we were gonna trim the tree. Plus? My OCD was gonna kill someone if all the boxes of Christmas cheer weren't unloaded and put back in the Garage Of Shame where all boxes belong. heh. (True Story: I actually called my mom the next day...when the tree was done but nothing had been put away...I called her while hiding in my room because oh my gosh the boxes!! the mess!! where to start!?!?!?!!! Panic attack panic attack can't breath can't breath. My mom?? Totally rocks and calmed me down. Then I proceeded to unhide and clean. Oh, and I was able to breath again. I should totally do a Xanex commercial!)
Trimming the tree started off wonderfully...sarcasm sarcasm.....I may or may not have said "We are doing this as a family and we are having fun!! Now get up and start making memories dammit!!"

In the interest of full disclosure here is my dining room table. Chock full of stuff. Why do they need so much stuff Intnetz and why do they have to put it on my table???

This guy here was threatened with bodily harm if he didn't put an ornament on the tree. As you can see the dog is the only one who even pretended to listen to me. The son?? Got up and gave me bear hug and thought it all very funny when I gave him the death stare.

This guy?? This yummy bit of fabulessness?? Trimmed the tree like a pro. See those black cases to his right?? Those are just a small sampling of cd's he had to look through to find just the right music to decorate by. Tomorrow I will clean until everything is bright and shiny. Then I'll be ready for Christmas. :)

Have a good one everybody!!

SSCS!!!!!

2009-12-07T09:11:00.003+09:00

Yesterday when I went to check the mail I was so excited to see my SSCS swap package!!!
The very talented Fiona sent the cutest ornament for our tree and some yummy chocolate. How did you know I love chocolate Fiona?? Oh yeah, I forgot, it's a quilters rule. All quilters must love chocolate. heeheehee
My other present is under the tree waiting for Christmas morning. Thank you so much for your thoughtfullness Fiona!!!! I love the ornament and today?? I also loved the chocolate! hahaha

SOS....

2009-12-05T09:20:00.003+09:00

The other night my son took his sister...her boyfriend...and a friend out for dinner. 10 minutes after they leave we get a call from our daughter. The car won't start. My hubby gets in our car to go and see what's what. When he got home he tells me that even though there are two young men in the car, when he pulled up everyone was sitting all toasty warm INSIDE of the car waiting for him. The Calvary. Was the hood opened and any discussing going on you ask? No.

Dad had been called and dad was being waited for.

They get the car pushed back to our house and I take a look at my sons dejected face. I do what any mother would do in just such a situation....I call The Rents. (insert hero music here) I tell my mom what is what and she mentions to my father that The Son may be having a bit of car trouble. My dad knew he was a mechanic in the womb. He only needs to listen to an engine to know what needs to be done. Also? Besides being a whiz with all things mechanically he is a Grandpa. Grandpas go where Grandpas are needed. The Son talked to my dad to discuss what to do and even though he lives about 5 1/2 hours away...and STILL has a tracheotomy....my dad said he'd come and check it out. The next day my dad goes to work.......and then drives to our house....5 1/2 hours away.

I had strict instructions from my mom not to let him look at the car until he'd had a good nights sleep. The next morning....after fortifying him with coffee.....we went out to look at the car. After some discussion it is decided that it needs to go to the mechanical place also known as the car fixer place and have someone hook it up to some thingies and tell us what's wrong. At least that's how I understood it. Pistons may have been mentioned and something called a belt. It was here that all came to the conclusion that I was not going to be a whole lotta help. heh.

So the son put his key in the starter thingy and low and behold the car turned on!!!! No doubt it was scared into submission by my father "Super Grandpaw" I gave my son the death stare aka MY FATHER JUST DROVE FOR A HUNDREDELEVENTY HOURS AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR CAR???!?!!!! and then my dad says not to worry cars do that when the battery is bad and for me to go get dressed (yes, I was outside in my pajamas with bed head. Do not judge me.) he wanted me to go with them and that he'd be buying his baby girl a Starbucks. I know I know....he is swoon worthy.
When we get to the car fixer place they let us know that the battery is bad. Super Grandpaw looked at my son and said "I'll be paying for this" and he whipped out his Discover card faster then you can say I Want Me Some Fabric!! Then he took us out to lunch at Panera......and then he got into his car and drove 7 hours to visit my brother. Content in the knowledge he had done a good job. I think his car may have glowed with all of the goodness pouring out of that man.
We get in the house and my son looks at me. He says. "Wow. Grandpa drove all this way to help me with my car...and then he payed for a new battery." He shook his head and says "He's a really great guy, huh mom."
Yeah son. Yeah he is.

Thanks for coming to the rescue my daddy. I love you more then ice cream!!!

2009-11-30T22:19:00.002+09:00

For the past two weeks someone has been home with me. Either I've had a sick kiddo or someone has been on vacation. We have been in and out. To the store and back. I've cooked and done laundry. My house has not been tidy no matter how hard I tried to keep up. We even took a trip to Columbus and my daughters besty came for a week long visit.

Have I mentioned that someone has been home with me every day for the past two weeks??

Yesterday I cleaned. I shined up my home. I cooked a big pot of chicken soup and the house smelled wonderful. Laundry was started. Then I sort of forgot about it. Then my husband reminded me. Laundry was started anew. Then I sighed a big loooooooong sigh.

Today there is just me......and the dog....and the cat. The way God intended for Mondays to be. My men are at work. My daughters are at school. I have a big ole pot of coffee and a new creamer called mint chocolate aka balm for a mothers soul. There is nothing before me but a day of quiet. I need to get laundry done but that is neither here nor there. I have an applique project ready and blogs to get caught up on.
I love having a quiet day to myself after so much busyness. It makes me feel all pink puffy hearted inside.

I hope everyone out there is having just such a Monday...full of peace. :)

Thanksgiving.....

2009-11-28T00:32:00.002+09:00

Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll!!! Hope your turkey day was as wonderful as our was. :)
We spent the day in Columbus with our friends. Ate a lot of turkey.
A
Lot
We also ate some ham....and green bean casserole.....and rolls...and corn pudding....and cranberry sauce.....and then some more turkey.....and stuffing.....and pie!

Groan.....

I am still stuffed this morning. After dinner I went upstairs to the 4th floor (seriously you all need to see this house!) and took a nap in what I like to call the movie room. It is set up just like a theater with wonderful overstuffed leather chairs that lean back when you press buttons. There were blankets passed out and naps taken while we watched the parade. The grownups stayed downstairs and since I didn't want to leave the kiddos alone I took a nap with them. All comfy cozy with my oh so lovely mink blanket. Martha Stewart would have called yesterday a good thing. :)

Hope everyone out there hugged their family tight and thought of things they were thankful for. Today is shopping. No, not at o dark thirty. We are headed to the mall after lunch to hang out and just be. I'll make sure to take some pics so I can share tomorrow.

Have a wonderful day after Thanksgiving day!!!
hugs!!!

The Grocery Store Debacle....

2009-11-17T11:09:00.004+09:00

The other day I took my son to the grocery store. The cupboards were bare at Chez' Owens so we were gonna hit it and hit it hard.

When we walked into the store it was packed. All of the retirees had come to shop. No problem since retirees like to talk and if there is something I like to do it's talk to strangers in the grocery store! :)

So there we were. I had a cart. The Son had a cart. Everything was going good. We laughed. We talked. We moved out of the way of the lady with the blue hair who was taking no prisoners. It was shopping at it's finest. Isle 8 is where the cranberry juice is. I loves me some cranberry juice. Goes great with a leeetle bit of that wondrous thing called Cranberry Vodka.

I will now take a second for us all to shout " Hail to the cranberry vodka!"

Carrying on.....as I reached for the cranberry juice my stomach all of the sudden said "Heeeeeeeelllllllllllllllloooooo" and I thought I was going to be ill. Violently. The never can I show my face again in this here town kind of ill. I dug in the cart and opened up the box of Gas-X. Oh yes I did. And can I just say that nothing embarrasses a kid more then when you jump in a grocery cart, root around, find the Gas-X, hold it up and shout "HALLELUJAH!!"
We waited a couple of minutes to see if the pill was gonna work its magic. My stomach said to me "I SAID HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOO!!!"

I told my son to stay with the carts and ran to the bathroom. Nothing. I looked in the mirror and noticed I was kind of pale. I walked back to The Son and told him all was right once again and for us to carry on. Then people we get to the dairy isle. I turned around to reach for the coffee creamer.....you know the kind....the kind in the large bottle that says yummy/scrumptious things like "toffee" or "caramel".... as I reach for the creamer I felt dizzy all of the sudden and had to swallow like a ma-zillion times cause it was gonna happen!!! I looked at the poor man standing next to me whose wife had sent him to get the coffee creamer as well and he was looking at me like this.....

horrified.

I heard my son take a deep breath as he readied himself for the horror that was about to happen. I just stood there in shock staring at the man and thinking to myself "Self, what you got yourself here is probably that there Pigeon Flu and you need to fortify your loins cause this chain't gone-be pretty." Seems that when I am about to get sick in the dairy isle my inner hillbilly comes out.

Thankfully, after a couple of deep breaths, I got myself together and crisis number 2 passed. But let me tell you, we finished the rest of our shopping in a blur. I threw whatever was in front of me in the cart.....got to the checkout line and held on to the counter while my son loaded everything up....and kept asking me if I was okay. Then he ran to get the car while I stood outside with our bagger. We made it home with no further incidents.
I've been fine ever since. Crazy!!!
I am now scared to leave my home and will be staying indoors indefinitely.
heeheehee

2012....and the bully update...

2009-11-15T02:30:00.003+09:00

So yesterday the movie 2012 came out and man oh man was I excited to see it! I've had that baby marked on my calendar for months now. I like a good movie people and one about the world ending in a fiery explosion of mayhem is one of my favorites! The hubby took the day off so he could go with me and we also made The Son get up outta bed so he could go too. Now the movie is long...2 hours and 20 minutes. We needed to be home by 3pm and were gonna be cutting it close. I asked the hubby if he could be the Keeper of The Time and let me know when it was 5 minutes to 3. I was pretty sure we would get to see the whole movie.
I had a jumbo popcorn and a gigantic-a soda. My hubby was on one side of me and my son on the other.
I.
Was.
A.
Happy.
Camper.

Until..........

Just as the movie was getting good....things were sliding into the ocean....people were hanging off of the side of buildings.....my hubby leans over in a panic and says "Hey! It's 3 o'clock! We gotta go so we can get Middle Daughter to work on time!" I stand up and say "Already???!! Wow! That went fast!!" Then we raced for the car. I kept thinking that 2 hours and 20 minutes had gone by so fast and what was up with the rest of the movie...did the previews go on that long at the beginning??? Cause I knew....just knew that more explosions were gonna happen that I was gonna miss.

You wanna know what happened as I turned the corner to hop on the highway to home?? I looked at the car clock. heh. My husband forgot to change his watch for Daylight Savings. It was only 2. My son and I just stared at him like how could you????? DID HE NOT KNOW HOW LONG I WAITED FOR THIS MOVIE TO COME OUT???????!!! I was thinking that I may have to leave him. I may have to pack up the kids and move. Where? I do not know but it would be a place where everyone gets the time right.

Not really. heeheehee He felt so bad and kept apologizing and I thought he was so cute that I forgave him. It's just a movie after all. The son on the other hand is packing. He is moving to that land I just wrote about.
So guess who's gonna go see 2012 this week??? Yeah. That would be me. :)

The Bully Update:
The Vice Principal of my daughters school is a dream. He got right on it and stopped everything before it could get out of hand. He talked to our daughter (and I will be eternally grateful that we taught our kids to say Ma'am and Sir!! Boy does it sound good!) and then he talked to the other girl. My daughter said she laughed at the girl when she came to school with yellow hair and the girl said she wanted to punch her face off for it. The Principal explained to my daughter that she shouldn't tease and he explained to the girl that she shouldn't want to punch the faces off of people. They are each in their respective corners and we don't think anything else will happen.

You know, it's hard to know when to step in as a parent. We like our kids to figure thing out for themselves with us helping as needed. We don't want to fight all their battles because then how will they learn to stand up on their own when they get older. We do draw the line when there is talk about "jumping" our 12 year old. It's just a no all the way around. Kids mean it these days. It's not an idle threat. Also? We act fast and furiously when we feel that our own kids have gone to far. I've told the three of them that I was bullied when younger and how I felt about it.
So the Boo-Bear is back to being her fire-cracker self. She had a friend spend the night and seems to feel pretty good about the whole thing. Thank you to everyone who thought about our girl!!! You guys rock!!

Bullies....

2009-11-12T22:34:00.002+09:00

Yesterday my hubby had the day off. He's been gone doing Air Force type things so a day off was just what the doctor ordered. We went out for breakfast....went to Lowe's....stopped by Avenue so I could drool over a coat I have my eye on.....walked around Sams Club so the Major could drool over a TV he has his eye on and we went back to the yucky meat store to get a whole chicken. My man wanted to cook Beer Butt chicken so Beer and Chicken were got. The only crazy thing that happened is when I was walking out of the store (he had gone to get the van) an older man burped right by my ear.
Why?
Why did he do that Int-nets?? And was it just as crazy for me to think "Hurray!! I'm so gonna blog about this!!" hahahahahaha

When we got home The Boo-Bear was walking from her bus. She looked at me and I thought "Uh-Oh. Somethings wrong." She said she had to talk to me and got a little teary. I grabbed tissue and we scooted for her room. Seems she was bullied. By a girl who's name I know well. Last year this same girl bullied The Boo-Bears friend mercilessly. For a year people. She confronted her outside of class...on the playground...in the hallway...at lunch. The Boo-Bear got into it with her a couple of times over it and her friends mom even came over to our house to see if her daughter had done anything to warrant the attacks. Ummm no. The mom was supposed to go to the school and have a conference with the principal over it but never did.
I guess yesterday she figured my daughter needed a little attention. She confronted her at her locker. Words were said and a threat made that she was going to get some people to jump her. My baby said she wasn't scared of her and for her to go away.....then our Boo-Bear said she flicked her fingers in the air so the hateful one would realize she meant it when she said to go away. Then? Then she cried while she looked at me. She said her fingers were shaking when she tried to open her locker. She said she didn't want to get into trouble at school. I was all WHA??? Why would you get into trouble? She is worried that the Principal will call them into her office to discuss what happened and that they will both get into trouble. Yeahno. The hubby is taking some time off this afternoon to make a visit to the school. He is going to talk to the principal about what happened. We went through this once when our son was younger. He had been bullied. We went through the proper channels...talked to the counselor.....got it documented....all the things you do. When the kid hit him for the first time my son hit back. They got hauled into the office and the principal called me to let me know they were both being suspended. She said she knew of the problem but with the whole no tolerance policy they were both out for three days. My son thought he'd get in trouble at home. Um no. We took the three day suspension and the bully never bothered him again.

So today will be a long day. My Boo-Bear had an upset stomach this morning but felt pretty good that her friends all called her last night to offer support, like only 7th grade girls can, and that her father is going to her school to see what's what. I'll sit here today and wait for her to come home.

sigh.

It's gonna be a looooooong wait til she gets home. 3 o'clock never seemed so far away.

Ft. Hood....

2009-11-06T21:22:00.003+09:00

As a military wife and daughter my thoughts and prayers go out to the Army community at Ft. Hood.

Visitors....

2009-11-01T01:20:00.004+09:00

My cousin "Jordanthing" came for an over night visit the other day. Jordanthing isn't her real name it's just what my son called her, for reasons known only to him, when he was little. Anyway she came for a visit and much laughing and talking was mine for a couple of hours. Cousins...they do the body good.

As she was packing her car to leave a pretty interesting thing happened. She came back into the house and said she had to hop into her truck PDQ cause two labs came over to check out what was what and made her nervous. I, being a dog LOVER!, said labs?? She thought they had gotten loose cause they both had collars on. My, being a dog LOVER! said lets catch em and find their mom! She looked a tad bit sceptical, not knowing that inside of her quiet mom-like cousin beat the heart of a hero. :) hee. I go outside and whistled. Two huge! dogs came running around the corner. I opened my back yard fence and in they galloped. Much coo-ing over how cute they were and what good doggies they were and let Aunt Dawn get you a little treat-kisskiss belly rub-belly rubs later and I had caught me some dogs. My cousin? In the house watching from the back door. Inside of her beats the heart of a hero as well she just likes to use it only on weekends. heeheehee

I had her bring me Abbey's leash and took the biggest one out of the back yard to look for his mom. The younger lab protested so we let him out thinking he wouldn't go far without his buddy. I walked around the neighborhood looking for someone obviously upset cause Hey! Doggies!! Loose!! Looking for them!! And you know what?? Found her!!!! She had gone out back to feed them that morning and the gate was open. She was in her car driving around the neighborhood in a panic thinking she would never see them again and life would never be the same. Okay, I made that up but she WAS looking panicky and driving around the neighborhood. She got her dogs and we shook hands promising to be bestys. Okay! Made that up too but wouldn't that have been great!!! Really she acted kinda put out and only wanted to get her smoke on and pull up her white tank top/sans a bra but that's okay cause Hey! Doggies!!! I knew in her heart she thought of me as a hero and I was okay with that. Then I went home and we took the cousin out to Red Robin where she paid!!! Hey!! Cousins!!! and we went to Best Buy where we may have danced around the store a little cause they were playing rockin music.

All in all a very nice two days. Big hugs Jordanthing!!!!

Brotherly love....

2009-11-01T01:12:00.003+09:00

Our youngest and oldest have a very deep abiding love. He has introduced her to the tres fabulous Pokemon game, tooting, watching movies, blue slushies at Sonic..... and she has helped him to learn patience. :) The other night he went to the store, bought a bunch of snacks and the two of them put their heads together so he could help her achieve levels unreached before in the history of Pokemon. All. Night. Long. Yeah, I know, that's a great big brother.

He has also introduced her to the always funny game of name calling. Do you all know what a Pongu is?? It is a toot. He calls her Pongu Sniffer and she calls him Turd Juggler. A very typical morning between them at Chez' Owens usually goes thusly....

Him: Morning Pongu Sniffer.
Her: Morning Turd Juggler.

Then they are able to start the day. Now if one of them tried this with the middle child?? Our 17 year old?? It would go like this...

Them: Morning Turd Juggler.
Her: OHMYGOSHWILLYOUSTOPCALLINGMENAMES!! Twitter twitter text text. MOM!!! text text twitter. MAKE THEM STOP!!! text. MOM!! twitter. MOOOOOOOO-OOOOOOOOOM!! I CANNOT WAIT TIL COLLEGE!!! AUGH!!

Always classy over here folks. Always classy.

Astro Boy......

2009-10-31T23:06:00.004+09:00

Last night I took the Boo-Bear and the Son out to a movie. It's hard to agree on a movie between three people and after much discussion Astro Boy won. Boo-Bear loved it....I gave it a C. It gets a little weird/campy in one spot but the message is good. It was no Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs that's for darn sure! She wants to see Where The Wild Things Are but man oh man every time I read something about it everyone says how depressing it is and I do not need any more of that! hahahaha

Today is Saturday. I've got two kids who want to hang out at the mall and get some Christmas shopping done. We're gonna eat Chick Fill'A and maybe I can talk one of them into treating their ole' momma to a Starbucks. A trip to JoAnns and some fat quarters may be in my future. I am working on a tea pot wall hanging and want to get all the blocks prepped so I have something to do at night while the family watches what they watch on TV. I'll take some pics of the blocks later on tonight.
It's gonna be a great day. :)

A peek into Air Force life.....

2009-10-28T20:31:00.003+09:00

There are times I love being the wife and daughter of an Air Force member. I was reminded of something this morning that I especially like while having my first cup of coffee and reading blogs.

Every morning at 7:30 I can hear Reveille play. We live across the street from a section of the base so I can hear it loud and clear. At 5 Retreat plays and then at 10PM we get to hear Taps. Every day. Did you know that when you are on base everything stops while those songs play? Every car stops and anyone outside must face in the direction of the big American Flag....usually by the front gate. If you are in uniform you must stand at attention. It is so neat to sit in your car and watch life come to a standstill for a moment while we all pay our respects to our country.

When my kids were little 5 o'clock was dinner time. You would hear Retreat play and when it was over you could see kids scatter for home. I absolutely loved it! Some days I would go to my kitchen window, where I could see the park, and just wait for it to happen. The kids would all stand very still....some with tiny hands over their hearts like they had been taught to do...and then they would run for home to eat.

The other day we were all walking to the car to go somewhere when we heard the music. Without saying anything we all stopped and faced the area across the street where we knew the flag was. My kids were quiet. The hubby stood straight and tall. When it was over we resumed walking and talking. Just picked up where we left off and it was so natural that no one mentioned it. My heart felt so full. It made me proud.

Just a little sharing about how life is over here. :)
hugs everyone!!

My new Dream Job...

2009-10-27T21:18:00.003+09:00

I was online last night perusing the internet when I came across an article about people who study paranormal activity. In short, they are Ghostbusters.

I. Totally. Want. That. Job.

I read that article two times and for a brief second I thought about waking up the hubby and telling him that his dreams were about to come true and I was going to get a job! Then I thought about how grumpy he would be if I woke him up to tell him that his wife wants to be a Ghostbuster and let him sleep.

Ghostbuster!!! Can you even imagine how great a job that would be??? I could be at a function with the hubby....he would be in full Major-mode and I would have on heels and an oh so lovely dress. (annnnnnnnnnd since this is my fantasy the dress would be a size 5! ha!!) A General and his wife would walk over to make small talk and they would ask me what I do. I would sort of swish my cosmo and say in an offhand kinda way "Me? Oh, I'm a Ghostbuster." Then I would smile demurly at the Generals wife cause there is no way her day job could top that! I am sure they would stand in awe at the wonder that is Me "The Ghostbustering Wife"

Or I would be at JoAnns taking full advantage of a 40% off sale and a woman would ask me what I needed the 4658 rolls of tape for. I would say "Tape? This is for my job." She would be intrigued by the woman of mystery that is me and say "Really? What is your job?" I would then smile politely and tell her that I am a Ghostbuster and the tape is to put all over a house infested with Stage One Ghosties that can only be caught with good ole fashioned sticky stuff. Can you just see the envy on her face when she realizes that she is just a boring Supreme Court Judge who has to wear a boring old black robe day after day and I am a Ghostbuster, probably besty's with Dan Aykroid, and I get to wear awesome ghostbuster type outfits??!

Now, of course, as I am afraid of ghosts my job would be to wear the cute outfit and stand in front of the haunted houses with a sign saying "Ghostbustering Going On Here....to hire please call 1-800-rockin-jobs" I would let others do the actual "busting." My momma din't raise no fools.

I am now off to have a third cup of coffee. God only knows what I will post next. heeheeheehee

The creepy man....

2009-10-27T10:08:00.004+09:00

On Sunday my hubby woke up and told me that he must cook some ham-hocks...and beans. Then I went downstairs to make some coffee. I needed to fortify my loins before any plans were thrown at me. He came down about 20 minutes later, dressed and ready. He definitely needed some ham hocks and beans.......maybe some of my sweet corn bread....and possibly some sweet tea. Oh, and I should get ready cause he wanted me to go with him. As I am a white woman I don't have the faintest clue what one should look for in a good ham hock.....other then they should be big.....but I love muh man so off we went. The man likes to buy his ham hocks from one store. It is a small little hole in the wall......probably run by mountain people. Nothing wrong with mountain people, I'm just setting the scene. Teeth are not always a given. Shoes and shirt are mere options.

As we are waiting at the meat counter with all 645 other mountain/hunters in full camouflage gear/slasher type people I got a little tingly feeling at the base of my neck. Now int-netz I am a child of Oprah. For years I was a devout follower and I know that when you have a tingly feeling at the base of your neck that means that a murderer is close by. Of course Oprah calls it your "hmmmmmmm something is not right" feeling but she really means that a murderer is close by and you should run RUN ham hocks be damned!

Now I was at one end of the meat counter and the hubby was at the other. He had gotten all enthralled by the sirens call of beef and had left me. I looked around to see why I was getting the tingly-murderer is close by feeling when I saw this man looking at me. It wasn't a "Hey! What a cutie that girl is!!" It wasn't a " HMMMMM white girl with black man....bad!" look either. It was just a really weird blank stare. I looked away and pretended to be oh so intrigued by a packet of something called "Salt chure deer meat and the wimmin will come a'runnin" and when I peeked to see if he was still looking? He was. I looked behind me cause maybe he was aiming his dead blank stare to some other unlucky person. But guess what?? There was no one else behind me. I decided to hide in an isle. Not that Oprah ever suggested that hiding in the cereal isle when you are about to be attacked, is a good idea but I needed to give the man time to be distracted by something else. When I got tired of reading cereal boxes I fought my way over to the the hubby. I figured the weird Freddy Kruger man would see that I was well protected and would stalk someone else. Nope. He kept looking. I thought about telling my hubby but the man hadn't really done anything. I just kept getting an icky feeling. And ladies, would my husband understand The Wisdom Of Oprah and how I was having a Hmmmmmmmmm Moment?? No. He would walk over to the icky little man and ask him if he was staring at his wife and if so could he knock it off cause he was giving her the heebie-jeebies. And really.....the area of town we were in...well let us just say that I didn't want to stand out any more then we already were. I only break out the black belt moves when needed and on one cup of coffee.....me loins weren't nearly fortified enough.
Our number was called while I was wrestling with what to do so we ordered our ham hocks. Paid for them and got in the car. I told the Major about all of my thoughts. He looked around the parking lot to see if I was being stalked but nope. No icky murdering man had followed us out to the store. And why I felt the need to share this loooooong and sordid tale I do not know.
It's just me looking for the silver lining in things....see......escaping a murder/slasher?? WIN WIN!! Yeah Me! Looking for the good in life!!! :)

Anyway!!! so tonight I am still alive and well in Ohio. Let this be a lesson to all you ladies out there. If a very tiny-weird-murderer-slasher type person stares a death ray stare at you, just do what I did.
Hide in the cereal isle. Works every time. And yes, that is the moral of this story. giggle

Night all!!!

Decrating for Fall.....

2009-10-26T04:49:00.003+09:00

Been doing a little Fall decorating around here. When I went to the Covered Bridge Fest my dad got this house for me....it lights up!! Very Fall-ish.

I also decorated the front porch.......This is just some corn stalks....a couple of bales of hay....some pumpkins and a table my dad made for me.

In the other corner I put a small cabinet with a very large pumpkin on top. (Cabinet also made by my dad....yes, it pays to have someone in the family who is a woodworker!)

And over here I put two bird houses......also made by my dad. :) I got some Fall Garlands from JoAnns.....60% off Ladies!!!....and hung them around our porch. It looks really nice at night when the porch light is on.

I think Fall may be my favorite season. It's cold so you can wear the cold weather clothes but it's not freezing to where you don't want to go outside.

Happy decorating everyone!!

Serious post ahead.........

2009-10-25T22:13:00.003+09:00

So ummmmmm my posts have been pretty spotty lately huh.
Thanks to all who have hung in there with me and my once a month posting.

As many of you out there know life is not always one big basket of butterflies. At times things that we are desperately trying to hold at bay rear up and say "Okay, enough. Let us deal with this now." Everyone has something that they deal with. Mine is that every once in awhile I get sad. For no reason. Just sad. Usually it only lasts a day or two and then I can snap myself out of it and go on with life, none the wiser. This time? No. It has gone on and on and on. I describe it as waking up one morning and it is sitting on your chest, smiling down at you and saying "Hi! Remember me?? Wellllll I'm back!" You can tell yourself that your children are wonderful, your hubby is the best, you have a roof over your head, food in the fridge, shoot even your dog loves you but it doesn't always work. I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago to tell him that maybe my "vitamins" weren't working like they should and he wanted to go over what I had been doing that week. I told him. Just the usual wife and mom stuff. He says to me "You seem to take care of everyone. Who takes care of you?" Then he got nervous when I felt oh so sorry for myself thinking "Yeah! Who??" and maybe got a little teary. hahahahahahaha

So what to do and how to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and get it together already??

When I go through it I start a new quilting project. I put music on during the day. I get out of the house and go be amongst people. I buy myself a fat quarter. I make big dinners and set the table nicely. Or I re-arrange furniture. I never let it affect my family. I feel very strongly that my kids will not remember their mother being sad. This time? Nothing worked. I found myself laying on the couch after the kids went to school and then waking up 3 or 4 hours later. Eating for no reason even if I was full. A week would go by and I didn't laugh. I had to make myself go out. Even knowing I had to buy bread was a huge huge task that would loom in front of me. I even stopped answering the phone.

One night my daughter sat on my bed and said that I seemed sad. Was it something they had done. Was there something she could do to help. My other daughter came in and sat on the bed and they pow-wowwed as to what I could do. Yeah, that is a heart breaker for sure. They wanted their mom back. Shoot I wanted her back!

It's hard to say what made me have such a long "hard time" this time. It's been months. I was just so sick of myself. Nothing debilitating or any crazy thoughts, I just re-read what I wrote and wanted to put there out there. Just sad. And tired. And anxious. For more then a couple of days.

For months The Rents and I had planned on going to The Covered Bridge Festival together. Just the three of us. I would drive up to their camper....saying camper makes me think of a small little pop up when really people?? This thing is huge! Comes with two lazy boy chairs......tv......kitchen.....shower...you name it! Anyway, the plan was for me to drive up to the campground, stay in the Taj Mahal of campers with them and we would drive to the Festival and spend a whole day shopping. Going from booth to wonderful booth of craft stuff. When Nana got sick and I spent some time with her I thought about not going. I mean...money...recession....sigh. Then my heart said oh no. Go. Do not stay home. Get away for a bit. Spend some time with The Rents. I am so glad I listened to my heart. I took the 4 and a half hour road trip alone. Just me and my music. I stopped off here....

bought a little sumpin sumpin for my Ya-Yas.......

Then I spent some time with these two. The Rents. When I got out of my car to say hello I just held on to my dad. I breathed him in. I hugged my mom and when she kissed me on the cheek, grinning cause we were gonna have a rockin good time, I felt my soul wake up for the first time in months. I felt quiet inside of myself. Does that make sense?? The first night I was there we just sat together. We had to get up the next morning early as the Festival was an hour and a half away. My dad watched some TV and my mom and I read. Every once in awhile I would peek at them. Then I would grin to myself cause oh my gosh are they cute. Also? I felt so happy to be there with them.
The next day we drove to Indiana. The Festival was not what I expected. It. Was. Marvelous! Booth after booth after booth of crafty things! You weren't allowed to take any pictures so I snapped my dad before we entered the town. Oh, guess who had pneumonia that weekend?? Guess who we had to drag back to the camper at the end of the day after walking 245112 miles?? Yeah, that would be this guy.

I came home and felt more myself then I had for a long long time. I've laughed again. I chased my youngest up the stairs trying to pinch her while she laughed like a loon. I was interested in what was going on around me. I've answered the phone! :) I also made a decision that I would not go back to that place. I've started to say no a bit. No, I will not stop what I am doing and drive to the school cause you forgot something...AGAIN. No, I will not drive everyone hither and yon. Get another mom to do it...it's their turn. Yes, I will do my share but doggone it I will not let myself be so taxed out that I get depressed again. I also know that people will only tax you out and make you crazy if you let them. I plan on working on some balance. Oh, and laughing. I've missed laughing.
The next time my doctor asks me who takes care of me?? I'm gonna tell him about these two. My Rents. And I am going to thank my lucky stars that I feel better!!!

Okay, enough down in the mire stuff!! hahahaha Next up is pictures of the porch! It is decorated for Fall and looks so great my neighbor stopped by to tell me so. :)

hugs everyone!!

Angel Swap Update......

2009-10-25T07:08:00.002+09:00

My secret angel swap person got her gifts from me a couple of days ago!!
I got someone from Hungary and had a lot of fun making stuff for her. (I also borrowed this photo from her blog as I forgot to take any of my own before I sent it out.)

If you ever get a chance to do a swap sign up!! It is a great way to get a peek into someone who lives a life very different from your own and you can make a nice friend as well. :)

Thanks to Helen for being in charge of all of us!!!

2009-10-20T23:45:00.002+09:00

The hubby and I go out for breakfast on Saturdays. Just the two of us. No kids! Hurray!! :)
Last Saturday we sat down at our regular table....ordered some coffee....and opened up the paper. I get the comics and he gets the sports page. As we were enjoying ourselves two men sat at the table behind us and one of the men says the following

"When I get home the first thing Im-a gonna do is put my underwear back on."

I looked at my husband and he looked at me. I started to giggle. Then I told him that I thank God every day for moments like these! hahahahahaha Keeps life interesting.

And yes, I did turn around....all stealth like....to see the gentlemen who was "Commando" for the day. He was busy gumming some bacon by that time cause he left out his bottom teeth. Probably sitting on his underwear at home.

hahahahahahahahaha

Bucket List....

2009-10-09T20:39:00.002+09:00

When I was in the airport waiting for my flight to arrive so I could go back home after a crazy three days of care taking I heard an announcement over the loudspeaker. The desk attendant said that the airline was doing this new thing where you could upgrade to first class for $50. Let me repeat that...first class. Let me also say that the plane ride was only an hour and ten minutes so when I thought about that and spending the $50 I didn't get up. We had an hour before boarding and I let my thoughts wander. I started to think about a Bucket List. I knew that if I had one flying in the first class section would totally be on there. I thought about how small the seats were and how small my own personal seat was not. I've never flown first class before. I began to make a Bucket List in my head.
When I went to throw my coffee cup and bag away I found myself walking up to the desk attendant. I asked him if what I had heard over the loudspeaker was true and could I upgrade my ticket to first class. He smiled and said yes. Then we looked at each other while I had an inner war with myself. Finally I handed over my debit card. He explained that when he called for first class passengers to board that I could come on up. Then I sat back down and grinned to myself. First class!! After awhile boarding began. I stood up and made my way slowly, cause there was really no hurry. We were FIRST CLASS Huzzah!!
I got to my seat and guess what?? They give you a blanket!! And a pillow!! And a very lovely bottle of ice cold water. The best bottle of ice cold water you will ever sip. Probably from a very special First Class Glacier. I got situated and smiled at the person sitting next to me. We had tons of room and both crossed our legs. I gave a sigh of contentment. She pulled out her cell phone, being a very important CEO/First Class Flying type of person. The flight attendant came over and asked if we would enjoy a beverage. That's what she said. A be-ver-age. I wasn't really thirsty but no way was I gonna pass up a First Class Be-ver-age. And you know what else?? She would make people wait to board so that she could pass out our drinks. Then I sat back and partook as the rest of the people boarded. Once we took off and the Capt said we could move around the flight attendant closed a curtain between us that the rest of the plane. She brought more be-ver-ages but this time in real glasses. She asked if we were comfy and could she get us anything else. Maybe a cookie. Or a hot soft pretzel. By this time I was covered in my sooo soft blanket and had my pillow in my lap with my new book resting on it. I declined any food and read for a bit.
Now the question is this....do you think it was worth the $50 for a flight only lasting an hour and ten minutes?? HECK YEAH!!!! I came out of that airport grinning so hard the hubby asked me what happened. When I told him what I had done and that really, I had to do it as it was on my Bucket List, he laughed. I felt happy all day long.

Ahhhhh First Class Flying, you have ruined me forever.

2009-10-08T11:54:00.003+09:00

I have no willpower people. None. Not a bit.

Today I went by the quilt store to be out amongst the people and to ask about a block of the month I want to start. I walked in all happy and minding my own business and not even looking to spend any money..pinky swear..when I looked over to the right. It was really weird cause there was a glow coming from a corner room. Like an angeliclly glow. With some soft music. And I swear I heard my name being whispered. Of course I walked over to check it out cause I am a Nosy Rosy and Dear Baby Jesus and All That is Holy In the Land there was a quilt. It was beautiful. It was the most specialist quilt I've ever laid eyes on. It spoke to me. To my inner most soul. It said, "Daaaaaaaawwwwnnnnn I am beautiful and you want to make me and your husband is not the boss of you even though you swore on your brand spanking new Janome that you wouldn't buy any fabric you must make me and buy all the fabric for me now...right now."

Oh Int-netz I promise I resisted at first. I shook my head no and tried to walk away when a sweet little old lady (God ladies over 90 get me every time with their whole sweet little smiles and how they smell like lemon burbena and they carry hankies in their sleeves) she walked over to me and said "Isn't that quilt gorgeous!!" I said to her that yes it was but I wasn't allowed to buy anything as I just purchased a brand spankin new Janome and that even though my husband wasn't the boss of me I really shouldn't buy any fabric at this point and time. I should lay low on the whole fabric-purchasing thing. Yep, Dawny-Lay-Low is my new name. She patted my hand and said I was a good girl then she looked at the quilt again and sighed. As she turned away she mentioned that it was a class.

A CLASS INT-NETZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FULL OF MY VERY FAVORITE THINGS!!! QUILTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I COULD TALK!!! OUT LOUD!! TO THE PEOPLE!!!!!!! Oh the hum of freshly oiled sewing machines. The laughter of like minded people coming together. And be still my heart but you know.....you just know that a Grandma would be in there and I could probably sit next to her and ask her to be my friend and she would pat me on the hand and tell me that I was a good girl. Le' sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

So guess who walked outta the quilt store an hour later with an armful of new fabric, the Eleanor Burns book "Underground Railroad" and is newly signed up for a class on how to make it???? If my husband (who is sooooooooooooooooooooooo not the boss of me!) is reading this then no, it wasn't me. Nope. Not me sweetie!!! But if he isn't reading this??

Totally me.

Hello world, may name is Dawn and I have an addiction to Grandmas who smell like lemon burbena and have hankies in their sleeves....and maybe just a weeeee little addiction to fabric...and thread.....and Eleanor Burns.........OKAY AND CHOCOLATE!!! There. Ya happy now??? I'm exhausted from all this confessing.

PS. I cannot show pictures of the fabric til the hubby goes to work as it is hidden in a cabinet far far away....not that he is the boss of me or anything!!! heh.

2009-10-06T21:03:00.002+09:00

Thank you to everyone who left kind words about my hubby's Nana. :) You guys rock!!

Sooooooooooooooo speaking of cold and flu season...and isn't everyone??! Did all of you out there get a flu shot this year?? Did you have your kids get one?? We got a letter yesterday from our hospital that the Boo-Bear should come in and have one. The thing is...she has never had one. The hubby gets a flu shot every year. He has no choice being military. I remember when he got his first one years ago. He promptly got the flu.....and again the next year but not as severe. The doctor told him that it happens that way with the flu shot. Well I'm worried now that if the rest of us get out first flu shot that we will get the flu. And oh my gosh don't even let me get started on Swine Flu. Sheesh! We get a call once a week, at least, from the automated school line about it.

Usually during the Fall I stock up on medicines for colds and sore throats and fevers. When we were in Korea we got the nose swab at school. This year I am seriously considering the flu shot. So what say you internet?? Are you getting the vaccine.....are you letting your kids get it......how are you preparing for this winter time/cold and flu season???

Emergency Trip.....

2009-10-04T22:53:00.002+09:00

My husbands grandmother got really sick last week. He gave her a call on Saturday to see how she was doing and she was so sick she was in tears. Not good when you are 80 years old. The hubby had just come back from a two week TDY and couldn't leave so I stepped up and asked him if he wanted me to go and take care of her. 30 minutes later I had a ticket for Atlanta in hand. The hubby doesn't mess around when it comes to his Nana.
When I made it to her house the next day she let me in and went right back to bed. I felt her head. She was burning up. I asked her if she had taken her meds that morning. No. I asked if she had checked her sugar that morning as she is diabetic. No. We checked it. Her normal range is 110. That morning? 350! The hubby has a cousin who lived nearby so we bundled her up and rushed her to the ER. Thankfully it was right around the corner. Listening to her breathing my gut told me she had pneumonia. My gut was right. Once we were signed into the ER they put her in a bed with monitors all around and lots and lots of blood tests and a couple of chest X-Rays. Not only did the test come back positive for pneumonia but her blood sugar was so high they were worried about a diabetic coma. We sat in the ER for around 9 hours then they decided to admit her. We asked for...and received...a private room. I was so thankful for that because the hubby's family had gotten word that Nana was sick and were flying in from everywhere.
That poor little thing was so ill they had to do a blood transfusion. The first night I stayed with her. The nurses got a cot for me so I could lay next to her and listen to her breath. The second night my mother-in-law flew in. She had the blood transfusion that night. My mother-in-law got the cot and I got the chair. After the transfusion she was doing so much better that I got to go back to her house and take a nap. Exhausted is to small a word for how I felt. I have to say that when the hubby has someone in his family that needs help they sure do rally like nobody's business. Nana never had better care. If we weren't making sure she was warm then we were holding her hand. Everyone kept her spirits up and the phone never stopped ringing. We had to screen calls or else she never would have gotten any rest. Families are a wonderous thing!

I left to come back home on the same day they let her go home. Since the hubby and I hadn't really seen each other in three weeks he took two days off. We had breakfast together, celebrated our daughter turning 17!, went to a pub to watch a football game, and did I mention that when I got home my house sobbed in relief?? heh. As I spent all of yesterday cleaning my fingers to the bone I kept repeating in my head "Give thanks that you are needed....give thanks that you are needed.....do not kill anyone....give thanks!!" heeheehee
So I'm home now and have a ton of blogs to get caught up on. Please forgive me if I haven't responded to any comments left the last week or so. Today is the first day I've been able to get online.

I hope everyone out there is healthy and well!!!!
dawn

This just in.....

2009-09-25T23:41:00.002+09:00

Oh my gosh fellow quilters and lovers of everything Mark Lipinski!! He just made an announcement on his blog that he is no longer with the magazine or the show Quilt Out Loud!!!!
Does anyone know why??? I just this week joined the site that hosts the Quilt Out Loud show and now I kinda want my money back. And his magazine?? I love it!!! It is so different from all the other quilting magazines out there.

I am wearing black today as I am in mourning. sigh.

Hugs From Helen Swap...Received!!! :)

2009-09-24T21:58:00.002+09:00

Yesterday I went to check the mail and guess what came!!!!! My wonderful Secret Angel sent her gifts to me!!!! I joined in the Hugs From Helen Secret Angel swap this year and this is what my secret angel made for me.......

The felt purse has all of my change in it and is resting comfortably in my purse.......

How did she know I loves me some chickens???

And yep, this will be used this Christmas. :)

Thank you so much Micki for your thoughtfulness in making these wonderful presents for me!!! I love them all!!! For the rest of you....if you have a chance to join a swap I highly recommend it. You may make a friend....one who lives in a cottage by the sea. Can I just say that anyone who lives in a cottage by the sea must wake up every morning with a contented sigh in their heart and joy in their step. :)

hugs!!

20....

2009-09-23T21:00:00.004+09:00

My baby, my firstborn, our only son...he turned 20 on Monday. 20!!!! Oh my goodness where did the time go??

And yes that is a phone attached to his ear. His Grandmother called at the exact time I put the cake in front of him and as these were trick candles she got to join in while we sang happy birthday to him. :)

Le' sigh....look how cute mah babee is! This is probably going to be the last birthday we spend together for awhile as he is talking to a recruiter next week and joining the Air Force. Oh boy, on that day there will not be enough tissues in the whole entire US of A.

I got this shot right before the smoke detector went off and my dog lost it. Good times people!! Good times!!

Happy birthday Anthonie!!!!

BFF's.....

2009-09-23T20:56:00.002+09:00

See this guy over here?? The one being all "How you doin!" He has but one love to give and it's all for her.......

This love is the only thing saving him when he meows at 3am because he is hungry.....or bored.....or lonely......or has an itch......or is unhappy about the state of our economy.

:) Happy Weds everyone!

Other stuff going on Round' here.....

2009-09-19T22:46:00.003+09:00

There has been a lot of this going on lately. The Boo-Bear is number 31. She is hilarious to watch playing volleyball. Oh my gosh is she funny. In between hitting the ball she kinda forgets to focus and dances or waves to friends or waves to me. When we have home games parents are asked to be line judges. This means you are in charge of telling the Ref if balls are in or out and if someone steps on the line you tell on them. I've been a line judge twice. The first time I got booed. No problem. I can take it. Well not really, but my daughter took such major umbrage at someone daring to disagree with a call I made that the boo-er decided to head to greener pastures.

I signed up for a second time cause the line judge on duty didn't show up for that night and guess what?? We got flags!!! Really pretty twirly flags to hold up all official like if someone stepped on the line when they served the ball. Guess what you shouldn't be doing if the ball is in play and you are in charge of saying whether it's in or out?? Twirling your new pretty flag. And why is this?? Because when the game stops and two really mean dads are screaming at you that the ball was in the Ref will have you walk over to discuss if the ball hit the pole or not. And how do you explain that you were blinded by the Love of Your New Twirly Flag and weren't really paying attention?? Not that I did that by the way. I'm just using this as an example of what not to do. heh. Note to the two really mean screamy dad persons: When you yelled I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my Red Twirly Flag!
This is a blurry picture of my girl right before she started singing to herself. Wonder where she gets it from??? Must be from her fathers side of the family. heeheehee

And this?? This my friends is called "Serving with Flair" Not everyone can do this mind you. Try not to be jealous.

Okay, I gotta go and be productive.
Peace out me' Hermanosssss!!

quilts......

2009-09-19T22:34:00.003+09:00

When I started quilting I bought this pattern....Sugar and Spice Paper Dolls by Amy Bradley. I absolutely loved it! but whoo was it hard to do when you are first starting out with the whole quilting thing. I started it. Threw it out in frustration. I started it again. Threw it out again. Then a couple of months ago I got serious. I decided to tackle it and not stop til it was done. Last night?? FINISHED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today it goes on the frame to be quilted. :)

Look how cute some of these blocks are!! Love them! And yes my little girl is brown. We are the United Nations over here and my youngest was concerned that her Zulu (She swears she is descended from a long line of proud Zulu warriors...why she thinks this we do not know but hey?? REALLY REALLY FUNNY!!!) would not be represented. Never fear, mom is here. :)

Oh, and the machine is working like a dream. It is so much fun to put a quilt on there and get it done. I've quilted my swap gift for the Chookyblue swap...... it turned out perfectly!!! Can't show pics as it is a surprise to my swap partner. Let me just say that having this frame in the house makes me oh so happy people! hahha

Here is the Be-Attitudes quilt fresh off the frame. It just needs the binding done. Next week is binding week. Yep, I do now how to bring the wild and crazy.

Okay, I gotta throw some laundry in the washer and vacuum so that I can peruse the JoAnns sale today!! Happy quilting!

Quilting like crazy!!! but no pics cause I am scared to get off of the couch as I have just seen 4 episodes of Ghost Whisperer and I am chicken.

2009-09-19T12:07:00.004+09:00

My machine has had it's tension fixed oh so nicely. I have been quilting like a mad woman. Pictures will be posted tomorrow. Why am I not posting them tonight?? It is cause I am home alone right now and in the mail today was my Netflix movie of choice....Ghost Whisper-er season 3 Disc 4. I've just spent the past two and a half hours watching it and okay yes crying whenever someone goes into the light but can we talk a minute about what is going on underneath that town????!! I totally think it is the portal to Hell because halfway into one of the episodes people were trying to get out from under the street. And it was scaaaaaary. You know the whole shot of faces and hands reaching out from something stretchy?? Yep, that is what scared the bajeebus out of me and now I am to scared to get up from the couch and get the camera to post some pics of my lovely quilts. I also have to go to the bathroom but have to wait another 20 minutes til some of my family comes home cause guess what????? it is dark over where the bathroom is and I know that when I walk down the hallway faces and hands will be all reachy touchy and there will be no Miranda to help them go towards the light. Nope. Nuh-uh. Just me. Scairdy pants Dawn who has to go to the bathroom but is going to sit right here on the couch til someone comes home. I am also right now this very minute rue-ing the fact that I don't think I closed the curtains shut tight enough and probably ghosties are out there waiting for me to get up and go to the bathroom (do not think about water!!!) so they can scare me and then they will laugh when I do not make it to the bathroom in time.
So pinky swear promise that tomorrow.....in the daytime!....I will post pics!!!

In other news....I bought my tickets to see New Moon!!!!! (insert teenagerie squuuuuueeeee right here if you please) I am now locked and loaded. Please do not judge me. Cause um hello?? EDWARD!!!!!! AND JACOB!!!!! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

September 11th.

2009-09-11T23:04:00.001+09:00

We will never forget.
Rest In Peace.

2009-09-09T19:14:00.002+09:00

Where does the time go??!
My new machine got here a couple of days ago. I had the Janome 1600P-DB on layaway for a couple of months and finally paid it off. I, being the wonderfully experienced quilter that I am, decided to heck with fixing the tension!! Put a quilt on the frame and get er' done. Ah yes, I can see you other much more experienced long-armers shaking your head and saying "Dawn, Dawn, Dawn." heh. I knew the Janome had tension issues but that once you figured it out it quilts like a dream. Mine is still at the nightmare stage. I had a Christmas gift that was all hand appliqued and oh so very pretty that I put on the frame thinking I had the tension issues all worked out. Looked great on top so I figured the bottom would look just as great. heh. heh again. The back of my quilt?? Totally ruined. After much wailing and gnashing of teeth I called the SewVac guys to tell them my machine was defective and could they maybe hop in their tech truck and drive from Texas to Dayton and fix it?? Yeah/no. The guy walked me through a few things and sent out some BD needles sized 16. I in my infinate wisdom went to JoAnns and bought some universal needles sized 16. I took the machine off of the frame....by golly those things are heavy!!!....and started working on the tension. The back of the quilt looks great now...the top not so much. I have thread everywhere. I am now waiting for the correct needles to come in and then I am going to try again. The bobbin has been loosened, everything is at a 0. I don't know what to try next to get my stitches to flow together...anyone got any ideas??? Underside of quilt looks great. Top is a mess.
sigh.

Three glasses of wine and many many deep thoughts....

2009-08-30T08:34:00.002+09:00

So there are those among you who are sitting in your home and wondering.......what would I be thinking about after partaking of three glasses of wine whilst sitting in my house in Ohio.
Because I am nothing if not a blogger who tells all/does all I will let you know exactly what you would be thinking after three lovely glasses of a very nice Pinot on sale for $6.55.

1. Why can I not eat as many raisonettes as I want and not gain any weight??
2. I think my house still smells like skunk...but hello!! I do not care right now since I have had three lovely glasses of Pinot Grigio! Hazzah!
3. My husband is pretty cute in a Denzel Washington kinda way.
4. giggle out loud and then shush imaginary listeners.
5. I wonder if I should have another glass of this lovely wine and then email Jen and Leigh and tell them how much I love them and admire them.
6. Probably shouldn't.
7. Spend 10 minutes wondering if I should get some chickens like Judy.
8. Wonder if neighbors would mind as we live right on top of each other.
9. giggle while imagining neighbor with 451224 wooden crosses on wall hearing a rooster crow at the crack of dawn. (this is the neighbor who declines to say hello and who has been crossed off of my Christmas card list...not that I have one or anything but if I did she would totally be crossed off of it......in red ink no less)
10. Tell self that you should always blog after three glasses of wine as you are mucho funnier-o.
11. Make a to-do list. At the top of this to-do list is email all the wonderful people who felt your pain at the whole skunk debacle and left a comment.....love you people very very much!
12. Think of the people who left a comment after your skunk debacle and tell yourself that you are very lucky sniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiffff to have such people out there in the world.
13. Contemplate if you could go in the kitchen and have a 4th glass of this lovely Pinot Grigio without letting the hubby know.
14. Realize that you probably couldn't and as the hubby wants you to go to Blockbuster and pick out a movie with him the 4th glass would be a huge no-no.
15. giggle as you realize the people in Blockbuster are gonna be real tickled when you walk in and announce that you have a crush on Batman and there better be a movie or two with Christian Bale in it or heads will roll.
16. Wonder if heads would really roll and then giggle to yourself cause right about now that is preeeety funny.
17. Contemplate calling your mother and asking her to read this blog post so she can tell you if it is inappropriate or not.
18. Tell yourself that it is healthy to want your mothers approval at 40.
19. Sit in awe that you are 40 and have a sassy hair cut.
20. Tell yourself that since you are at number 20 you should probably end this as no one out there is reading at this point because everyone out there has a life and is probably enjoying a little pinot grigio of their own.

:) Happy Saturday everyone!!!!

Skunked....

2009-08-28T00:29:00.002+09:00

Oh my friends. Where to even begin this sordid tale of dog vs skunk. I shall begin where all epic tales begin...at the beginning.

Last night at 9:30 I asked my son to take the dog out for her last potty of the night. He opens up the back door and stares in horror as a leetle skunk is looking back at him. My dog?? She did not stare in horror. She being a big bad protector of "all things that may hurt the family" promptly jumped on the skunk and started to tell it to go away. Get out of her yard. The skunk took umbrage at such unprovoked treatment and let my dog know in no uncertain terms it would not be treated thusly. My son is yelling for the dog to get back in the house...may I just now put here "WTH???!!!" Not the house my son. Please not the house where your mother is sitting oh so happily sewing away. Where her OCD is laying dormant like Mt. Vesuvius.
When my dog came running back in the house, confused as to where the smell was coming from, the rest of us jumped up and ran into....wait for it my friends....my sewing room. Yes. She was in my sewing room. This is where my anxiety and OCD grabbed me by the throat and started to choke me. I grabbed my dog and ran for the tub....I did not choke her. By around midnight I was laying on the couch pondering my very existence and the existence of my dog and yes, even the existence of my son. Shall I tell you what takes away the skunk smell oh Internet friends?? Yes?? Okay, this is what you do if your dog has been skunked....

1. Take said dog to nearest bath and scrub the hell (sorry mom but hell is appropriate right about now, please do not ground me for using bad language) out of her.
2. Cry.
3. Get out every and all boxes of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda. Apply liberally to ever surface in your home.
4. Fabreeze like your very life depended on it.
5. Go to bed and get on the internet....look up "stoopid dog got skunked and son let her in my sewing room really what is it all about anyway" .com
6. Read that tomato juice does not work but Massingil will.
7. Cry.
8. Also read that if you boil vinegar on your stove it will take some of the smell away. Realize that you have a gigantic bottle of vinegar in your cupboard and boil away.
9. Open all windows downstairs and sleep on the couch whilst your hubby is asleep upstairs content in the knowledge that his crazy wife will no doubt have it all taken care of cause really?? Her OCD and anxiety will not let her sleep while the smell is in her home.
10. Wake up the next morning.
11. Cry.
12. Get kids off to school and start cleaning with Pine Sol for all you are worth.
13. Get phone call from 16 year old that she smells like skunk and you must pick her up.
14. Pick up 16 year old and go to Walmart where you purchase
* 12365411 bottles of Massingil for Women....ignore stares of every person in Walmart wondering what is up with you that you need so many.
* 2 industrial sizes of fabreeze
* One very large bottle of laundry powder
* Two very large bottles of fabric softener
* Garbage bags
* Skunk be gone from the pet isle that cost $12540112.02 but really who cares at this point.
* A very large milky way....did I mention it is "that time" of month.
* The biggest box of baking soda you have ever seen. Really.
* 545454 candles. Especially the Paula Deen Apple Pie. yum
15. Go home and get call from 12 year old that the Vice Principal has put all of her things from her gym locker in a very large plastic bag and that I need to come and pick her up because the skunk smell is permeating the entire school.
16. Cry.

It is now 11:47am and my house smells wonderful. My dog smells wonderful but is not speaking to me after what I have put on her body. My Milky Way is in the freezer getting nice and frozen for later on this afternoon. My laundry is well on it's way and my mommy has been called so that she can give me sympathy...and might I say that my mom does loving like no other. :)

That is all I've got dear friends. I am now off to drink a pepsi and relax.
Any and all comments of "You poor poor baby!!!" will be greatly appreciate.
You may now go and enjoy your houses that do not smell of skunk.
The End.

A squirrel update...

2009-08-23T07:03:00.004+09:00

It seems, at least for now, that the squirrels and I have reached some sort of a truce where the tomatoes are concerned. Ummmmm don't look at the green tomato on the fence over there in the picture on the right. We are agreeing to forget about that one slip up and have moved on.

Now that I think about it, it was probably the birds eating my tomatoes. Yeah!! Those darned birds!
Sigh, no, it was the squirrels. I'm not sure how to keep them away from the plants. I read that if a man ummmm if he "goes to the bathroom" around the bottom of plants that things in nature will stay away. The men in my family will do a lot for me but potty on a plant, outside, nowhere near toilet paper or a magazine is not on the list of approved things. For now I am just blaming it all on the birds....except the pretty cardinals that have come calling....and the hummingbird that visits every once in awhile.....the finches are pretty cute as well. Do you get the feeling I am not caring a whole heck of a lot about my tomatoes?? heehee

Be-Attitudes...

2009-08-23T07:00:00.001+09:00

The Be-Attitudes quilt is officially a top! I got it finished yesterday....after leaving all my housework by the wayside. :) A quilter has her priorities don't you know! I love how it turned out and can't wait to quilt it.
Another one done!!

Squirrels....

2009-08-15T23:22:00.003+09:00

In the mornings I like to grab the paper and a cup of coffee then go out back to enjoy the peace and quiet before my family wakes up. I really like sitting there watching the squirrels and birds eat stuff out of the bird feeders.
Lately it seems the bird feeders are not enough.
My squirrels...the ones I buy grapes for....they have been getting into my tomatoes!

This is just such a betrayal on so many levels!!!!
This morning when I walked outside and saw two! Count em two!!! tomatoes eaten into I'd had enough. Some squirrels were watching me from the tree we have by our fence so I walked over to them (Yep, In my PJ's with my hair not done) and had a little Come To Jesus talk. I explained my disappointment with them and reminded them who buys grapes and washes them before she puts them on the fence post. I also reminded them how much I am spending on the bird seed with cracked corn and sunflower seeds in it PICKED JUST FOR THEM cause I am a crazylady/squirrel lover.

This is about the time my neighbor walked by. The neighbor guy who never speaks to me. May I remind you that I was in my PJ's with my hair no where near done???
Oh the mortification.
Oh the horror.
And yes, when he walked away I continued my conversation with my (yes mine) squirrels til we came to an understanding. They would continue to be really really cute and eat my tomatoes and I would continue to not really care all that much/buy them grapes/buy them sunflower seeds....and maybe set up a birdbath so they can get a little water when the little darlings feel parched.
heehee

We're bored....

2009-08-15T23:03:00.004+09:00

Can I ask the moms out there a question??? Do your kids come to you when in the middle of a "sleep over" and tell you they are bored?? And want you to fix that ASAP?? And what is there to dooooooo whine whine whine???? Our Boo-Bear is the queen of this. Come to think of it our 16 year old did this at 12 too.
When I told her that in my day we entertained ourselves at sleepovers and walked 4 miles, uphill, in the snow to do this she just rolled her eyes at me.

When did we become the idea man?? I remember playing barbies til the wee hours of the morning.......doing elaborate hair-dos.....telling secrets never to be shared with any one else/pinky swear.......lamenting on the fact that so and so got her period and oh my goodness when will we get ours???!.......sneaking downstairs to get a bag of chips then sneaking back upstairs to eat it.....and giggling. Oh my goodness the giggling. Now that is the way to have a sleepover if you ask me!

I made up my mind at the beginning of the summer.....gah this summer!!......that my child would learn to entertain herself whenever she had a sleepover. Sure they could stay up as long as they wanted. They could eat junk food. Do whatever. But they had to figure it out. I would no longer be the idea man. You should have seen her face. "But what will we do??" she asked me at least a hundred times. I just told her that I didn't know but it had to be something and it had to be out of the living room cause that was where I was being at one with my thoughts. Whenever I reminded her that she could, surprisingly, entertain her guest and herself she would go back to her friend and say "My mom says we have to figure it out" then they would look at each other in horror. Us?? Use our imaginations?? Oh my.

So how did it go you ask?? School starts this Tuesday. The last sleepover was had this weekend. I watched as my daughter and her friend made friendship bracelets, ate a whole bag of goldfish crackers while laying in bed, shared secrets never to be spoken of again/pinky swear, had pizza, drank 54210 juice boxes, played a game, watched a movie......and giggled. She opened up her mind and used her imagination. She didn't even have to walk 4 miles uphill in the snow to do so and I think she may be a better person for it. :)
hugs!

Summertime part 4...Lots and lots of sewing!

2009-08-12T21:55:00.005+09:00

What does one do when she is a quilter having a kinda hard summer?? Why she quilts!!! and quilts!! AND QUILTS!!! I am working on three, count em, three BOMs. There is my paper doll quilt that is oh so bright and lovely. Why it is sideways I do not know. sigh...blogger.

I am more then halfway done with this one.
No I don't know who it is going to even though both of my daughters ask me every day. I just keep telling them that it is ours. Not that sharing it is an option. sigh. Sisters.

This one I am doing is a wonderful Baltimore Album. I love the colors. All browns...golds...greens....deep reds...yellows.
Siiiiiiigh. Browns and golds and greens. Ahhhhh.

I am also working on the Be attitudes BOM quilt. I have just a little work to do on some of the blocks and one whole block to finish and then I can sew it together. No, I don't know who this one is for either. I think I just might hang it up so I can sit in front of it and lose myself in the blocks. To say I am loving working on this one would be a yep, understatement. This one is a ball!

My good friend Jen sent out some Christmas gifts early this year as she is very busy doing important, private things in Nov and Dec. She made this one for me. Yeah, she knows me well cause this table runner is absolutely gorgeous! And yes, it is on my table. I will not be waiting for December to put it out. I like looking at it and don't want to wait for the holidays to enjoy it.

Hope every one else is having a quilty summer!

Summertime Part 3

2009-08-12T21:24:00.006+09:00

The hubby and I have been to a few Jazz concerts this summer. We bring a blanket and our neat stadium seats. We like to sit in the grassy knoll area. There is more room to move around and you get an awesome breeze out there.
The other night we saw Dave Brubeck and had a ball. Really really good!

Here are our feet being all in love. :)

I call this "Feet in love, a still life" because I am witty and artsy while at Jazz Concerts.

Lots of people show up to these concerts. I have the best time people watching while he listens to the music. The lady next to me?? Totally reading Twilight. I may have hugged her and called her sister. heh.
Tonight it is Boney James!

Summertime Part 2....

2009-08-12T21:22:00.003+09:00

I had me some bare walls in the sewing room that were driving me crazy. Bare walls are not to be tolerated here at Chez' Fill Every Space You Can. I kept looking for some shelves I could put my quilts on and wow, expensive much?! I did the only thing I could do under such circumstances and called me Daddy AKA Wood Master.
A week later I had some shelves and signs. This one says "Home is where you hang your heart." My dad makes them and my mom paints them. I swear they could go in business together.

Here is one of the shelves he made...complete with a quilt bar. Yeah, he is every quilters dream with these shelves.

This one was perfect for my Dresses Quilt. It makes me happy just looking at it.

Here is the empty no more wall. Oh, side note, see the very smallish sewing machine on rockin quilt frame?? There is now a bigger one on layaway that will be in my hot little hands sometime in September and yes I have been having trouble sleeping at night cause I am so excited I can't stand it!

I put this shelf by my treadmill with a very soothing colored quilt. It helps me run...okay, not really run persay...but sorta more like a walk/jog/moany thing. heehee

Off to quilt!!

summertime part 1..........

2009-08-12T21:19:00.002+09:00

Yeah, it's me.....no blogging for a month Dawn. Sigh. This summer. Whoo. This summer. Took it all out of me int-netz. Ever have something big you have to do that's really really hard and after you've done it you have nothing left? I mean nothing. And you can't even blog about it? That has been me this summer. The big thing I did is now over. It's done and we all survived. Yep, I know, you are saying "wha??" and "why so secretive??" I don't blog about anything that would hurt someone else's feelings. Especially someone I care about. Let us just say that this person now owes me a big gift...preferably fabric. Maybe say ohhhhhh 600 yards!

On with life! See that cute kiddo over there?? That is Jen's son. She came to Dayton for a visit at the beginning of summer and we took the kids to Waynesville. Ahhhhh Waynesville, you had me at hello. There are ducks swimming happily in a lake, Amish food which I partook of very happily, a jammin fabric store and a bunch of antique shops.

We also went to Young's Dairy while they were here. As you can see My Boo-Bear is in love with the baby cows. This one fell under her spell and they had a long conversation about how she will never eat a burger again. Never. Ever. Til two days later when we went out for dinner and she forgot her baby cow love. :)

This is my niece. Smiling. Even though she proclaimed that Dairy's smell like cows...and goats...and why oh why did we not go to the mall/pass the hand sanitizer!

Nothing like a bunch of kids with dimes in their pockets and a machine that lets you pay 10 cents for a hand full of pellets to feed the baby goats. There was much happy dancing that day...especially when we went inside and got some of their very yummy ice cream. No I do not have a picture of that. Seems I eat my ice cream like a woman starved on a desert island. heh.

I broke up my summer in 4 parts. Stay tuned for some sewing pics....they are already downloaded on the computer...just awaiting their turn....lots of greens and Burgundy's and yummy mustard's! Oh fabric, I thank you for being there for me this summer.

hugs everyone!!

2009-07-31T22:46:00.002+09:00

So yeah, not a whole lot of blog posting going on over here at Chez' Owens. This summer...gah...this summer. I have three girls....counting the niece....living under one roof. All needing special time with the woman of the house. Two are close walkers and I am tripping constantly. Two are always wanting to sit on top of me. Two...count em girlfriends...two. Yesterday?? Major Mall Fail. It was the day I lost it in the mall. In front of God and everyone. I imagine people are still talking about it this morning.

It all started at Panera. I had The Two with me. One was rubbing my back standing on my foot and asking me if I was stressed..no...the other was picking any and all stray threads off of me that had wandered there from a day of quilting Christmas stuff and standing on the other foot. Every time I moved forward they would re-adjust. The man in front of me watched it all in fascination. After dinner we went to the mall where one of The Two had to....just had to...try on 85421 pairs of jeans to make sure she had a good fit. I?? Gave her ten minutes and then threatened to leave. Got up to pay when she realized she read the sale sign wrong. Then The Two proceeded to walk on me and each tried to rub my back and ask if I was stressed and one kept saying I'm sorry and then it happened. Something that has been bubbling up in me for awhile and yes int-netz. I lost it. Right there. I was a glorious example of woman fail. By the time I finished I couldn't catch my breath. And I needed ice cream. Or chocolate. The Two looked at each other and asked me if maybe we should go home and was I okay and OH MY GOSH ONE OF THEM SAID SORRY! I told them if I heard I'm sorry one more time....or tripped one more time....or either of them called me or even acted like they knew me I would explode. Then I turned to the mom standing by a railing and we gave each other the "This to shall pass/I feel ya sister" sign. We also may have bumped fists.
After the mall we went home. I picked up the last girl and we went to the movies where The Two tried to sit by me and one got her feelings hurt and sulked til the popcorn was gone.....and then decided she wanted some popcorn. Guess who didn't get any cause dog-gone it you snooze you lose in the whole popcorn eating thing. The only thing keeping them alive is that the hubby is coming home today. He has been gone all week long. It's been a long week without him.

Today is a new day!!! I am thrusting myself back in the ring. I am woman...hear me roar!!! Or else just pray for me that I make it. Without tripping over anyone.

life and times with OCD.... :)

2009-07-27T03:36:00.003+09:00

So this morning I woke up to my OCD raring to go and do a little sumpin sumpin in the house. My niece has been here for the summer and we've been running hither and yon. I am in the car taking teens places more then not it seems. This morning my inner self had enough. I woke up to the OCD dawn telling me that today I was going to clean. I mean really deep down clean. Take the curtains off.....wash them...fabric softener them...hang em up wet with windows open....use any and all attatchments on the vacuum and attack the dust bunnies....tear apart Boo-Bears room and buy her a cute little 9 block cubbie from Meijer....wash rugs....take another look around and decide the kids are getting in the way and kick everyone out...that kind of clean.
When my kiddos realized that I wanted them out of the house they breathed a sigh of relief. I've worked very hard at trying to control the cleaning monster inside of me so it doesn't affect my kiddos. Two are out and two are at the pool. The hubby is gone. I have a brand new industrial size bottle of Pine Sol and I'm not afraid to use it.
Even the dog is hiding under a bed. She knows when I get like this it's bath time for her.
Okay, I'm off. I need to find another USB cord for the camera so I can download some pics. I guess that means I will be also cleaning out closets.
Have a great Sunday everyone!!

2009-07-22T20:54:00.003+09:00

Who in their right mind calls these the Lazy Days Of Summer????? Where is the lazy I ask you??? I was trying to catch up on some blogs and realized I hadn't posted anything on mine in like a coons age! To say I am ready for these chil-ren of mine to go back to school so I can get some rest is an understatement. I am tired int-netz. Oh so very tired. Yesterday my soul screamed enough!!! Enough I say!!! and I quilted. I informed the house that I was not getting in the car even if wild horses charged in here. I was not answering any questions. I was not listening to anybodies life stories. I was not getting up to rub any ones back while they threw up.....yeah, that one was fun at 3am the other night. "Mommy! I'm going to throw up! You might want to come in here and rub my back!" Oh might I???? Lucky lucky me. heh.
So yeah, yesterday I shut the door to my little oasis and took my time quilting. I cut. I pinned. I ironed. I didn't really get anything done. I just enjoyed the process. If I can find my camera I'll take some pics today. The colors I'm using are just delicious! I am off now to get the house picked up a little and get back to my sewing machine. Hope you all are hanging in there and having piece-full days. (get it...piece...like quilting....BWAHAHAHAHAHA)
Summer is almost over moms!! huzzah.

And away we go!!

2009-07-13T20:33:00.001+09:00

Oh boy!! I just filled out the application to join the HUGS FROM HELEN Angel Stitchery Swap. I am beyond excited!!! This is the first swap of this kind that I've ever entered. I've done two block swaps and enjoyed them a lot. Now onto something bigger! Huzzah! Go on over and sign up if you haven't already.
Let the fun begin!!!

A day in the life.....

2009-07-11T08:07:00.006+09:00

To explain why I haven't been blogging as much lately let me take you on a journey. A journey of one day in my life.

Ahem, let us begin.

This was yesterday...

Took hubby to work so I could have the car.
Took youngest to volleyball camp.
Came home.
Did some laundry (two loads) and picked up the house.

Had a cup of coffee while watching neighbors uncle and father sit outside and drink beer with no shirts on and burp loudly. Wondered if they would be my friend cause I am kinda desperate like that. Figured if I brought over some beer they would welcome me with open arms. Checked fridge for beer and guess what?? None. Friendship with burping uncle and father - fail.

Got a call from hubby that he didn't like the uniform he picked out for the day and that I needed to come get him. He is in the Air Force. Every uniform is the same.
Rued him.
Got him.
Took him home so he could re-shower (why????) and change into a different uniform.
Took him back to work.
Rued him again in my heart and decided to put wet towel on his side of the bed.
Went home and picked up 16 year old so I could take her to work.
Had in depth conversation about 16 year old stuff while we waited the 15 minutes before she had to sign in. Thanked the good Lord above that when I was 16 all I had to deal with was sex drugs and rock n' roll.
Drove 20 minutes to pick up youngest at volleyball camp and got there an hour early because of above daughter needing to be at work.
Read my book...(Nora Roberts how I love you and stalk you in my dreams!!)
Drove with youngest to pick up hubby from work at end of his day.
Went home to pick up niece who wanted some one on one girl time. Drove to Applebees and had dinner.
Drove to a pet shop so she could pet all 16542 cats and ooh and aah over each one. (in the full interest of honest disclosure I must admit I patted my share and then we both washed our hands cause we found out one of the kittens was sick)
Drove to Michaels to foster creative nature of niece and buy her almost $100 worth of scrapbook stuff. Wondered where I lost control of the basket.
Took a minute to pat self on back and say "Self?? You rock"
Went to Barnes and Noble to read books for free with niece and walked into the restroom to wash hands. Looked in a stall cause maybe just maybe needed to use one and saw the most hideous thing I've ever seen. Also?? The biggest!! Told niece to come and look. Told niece that the person who did that monstrosity probably is laying somewhere dead. Laughed like 12 year old boys. Tried to explain to mature type woman who walked out of another stall that yes, we were 12 year old boys and we find poop funny. She? Did not.
Somehow was talked into buying book for niece. May have had book envy and so purchased one for me.
Went home exhausted.

And that good bloggers was my day. Just one little day. Today was sort of the same. I explained to one and all that tomorrow I was going to stay home. I could not, COULD NOT! play with any of them as I needed to give my house a little TLC. And laundry?? OMG!!! The bane of my existence!!!
Hope everyone had a quieter day!!! :)

Vampire Lovin'

2009-07-07T23:55:00.002+09:00

Two nights ago as I was doing laundry I walked into the computer room and one of the teens in our household was watching True Blood on the computer. Now I've seen True Blood twice. Both times I made sure all the blinds were drawn and the doors were locked. Have you seen it??? Lots and lots of Vampire lovin going on. The second time I watched it my mom happened to call during "a scene" and when I saw her name on the caller ID I actually blushed. Then I panicked cause what if she got some ju-ju-vibe out there in Illinois that her daughter was watching True Blood and was calling to tell me my computer privileges were revoked for a month???! It was then I told myself, "Self, if you can't watch this without feeling guilty daughtery feelings you shouldn't watch it at all" and that was that. I quit it cold turkey. So you can imagine my surprise when I found out, after busting afore-mentioned teen, that TWO teens in this household watch it! I did what I usually do in such matters annnnnnd told the hubby. It was decided that a family meeting was in order.

Now what does an Owens Family Meeting consist of you ask?? It is where all able bodied people living under this roof meet at a specified time to talk about familial things.

The what you can and can't watch was discussed. The saying "When you live under my roof you will do what I want" may have also been discussed. Boundaries were established based on age and maturity level. Then other things were talked about. We each take a turn. If there are hurt feelings inside of tender hearts it is put forth and apologized over. If someone is barging into someone else's room and OH MUH GOD TAKING ALL OF MY PRIVACY AWAY AND WHAT IF I'M GETTING DRESSED??? I WILL DIE!! DIE I TELL YOU!!! it is apologized over. If someone is being bossy and only 12 years old and ISN'T! JUST ISN'T! the boss of her cousin and the cousin is being MEAN SNIFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF! to the 12 year old, we talk about it and reach a happy middle place. Feelings are made to feel important and ruffled feathers are smoothed. No one is allowed to attack anyone else. Everyone is to use listening manners and tissues can and will be dispensed if you are one of the 4 people of female persuasion at the table and your hormones flair up and you realize that when one of the men in the family said your pants were much to tight it devastated you in ways unimaginable. You may never be the same, please pass the tissue, whilst all the other female members of the family glare at offending male members. hmph!

When the family meeting is closed we make sure to tell the kids that everything discussed is family business and not to be talked about with friends. It is private stuff. Family meetings are to be a safe place where anything can and usually is discussed. Then we do something together like watch a movie or eat dessert or take a walk or sing Kum-By-Ya-Muh-Lord whilst weaving grass mats and burning incense. :)

So far so good. True Blood hasn't been seen hide nor hair of since........well.......except maybe yesterday at three o'clock......by one of the 4 women who live in this household......and thinks maybe Vampire Lovin is her drug.
Hello, my name is Dawn and I have a problem. heh.

2009-07-01T21:37:00.003+09:00

Morning everyone out there in blog land!! What cha all doing today?? I have a very exciting day of laundry planned with a some reading of my new books. Yep, the excitement never ends!

Our Boo-Bear is visiting the Rents this week at their campground. This is her first time camping and she is having a blast. My parents have this hee-uge! camper complete with lazy boy chairs....shower.....kitchen area....air conditioning....and a fully stocked movie cabinet. My girl is soooo not roughing it! ha. She has spent time shopping, cause no one spoils like a grandparent, fishing, eating awesome stuff cooked on a grill, sitting by the fire, reading, watching movies and generally having a really really good time. This is a time she will never forget. Just have my parents all to herself.
The house is so quiet without here in it. My husband gave this great big sigh the other night while we were watching TV and told me he missed her already. She'd been gone for little more then a day. We drive the five hours to pick her up Friday. :) I cannot wait! Please someone remind me of this when I am lamenting trying to get her out the door for school in a couple of months!
I'm off to start my day. Have a good one everybody!!

Wha???

2009-06-26T06:33:00.002+09:00

Dear Mall Down The Street,

Ahem. When I am trying to explain to my niece with the very cute shape that she can choose a one piece bathing suit or a very lovely tank-eenie why do you work against me?? We found one....count it....one tank-eenie in the whole mall that we both agreed upon. Then it was to big on her size -5 frame. You must work on this as soon as possible as we are wasting summer time over here at Chez' Amish Owens Of The Cover Your Damn Selves home. Also?? Can we discuss your employees?? Especially the very cute girl at Store Every Teenager Loves. I don't mean to tell on anyone but when asked where the tank-eenies were I did not appreciate her blank stare or her look of confusion when she glanced at my niece. I could hear her, you know, saying to another co-worker "Why does she want to make her wear something like that???!" I understand her not understanding especially with her wondrous tattooed "bubbies" (kisses Real Housewives of New Jersey!!!) hanging out for all to see. Everywhere we went we were met with "Tank-eenies?? One piece suits????" then you employees shuddered and went to the other side of the store. So Mall, do you understand my frustration?? Not one suit to be had. Sore feet? Check. A frosted cookie eaten by one very tired Aunt?? Check. A neice who is fabulous and bought herself a dress instead?? Check. A bathing suit?? No. No check.

Tomorrow we go back.

God help me.

2009-06-25T22:30:00.003+09:00

Went and saw Transformers last night and loved it!!! Oh my gosh was it funny. The youngest laughed and laughed and laughed. The movie theater was packed and a good time was had by all. It was just a really good summertime movie. :)
Today I am off to fight the bathing suit wars with my niece. She is here for the summer visiting us and needs a new suit. Now just being in the bathing suit department is going to give me hives but how do you pick out a bathing suit for a 15 almost 16 year old that covers her like the days of old??? I mean really!!!! I keep putting up pics like this..... on the computer hoping to convince her that this is the way to go. So far it hasn't worked. Wish me luck!!! heeheeheeheehee

Oh Yuck.

2009-06-23T04:53:00.004+09:00

Being all Fathers-Dayey at our house yesterday I decided to make the love of my life a leg of lamb. I had it roasting nicely in the oven, the yummy smells wafting around the house, my huggy bear ensconced on the couch doing Dad things (scratching and burping) and my children hither and yon. It was a good day. Then I noticed someone needed to take the trash out. Hmmmmmm I know! I'll take it out since it Fathers Day and my hubby should rest and keep doing the dad things. (note of truth here: the hubby never takes the trash out as his motto is why do that when there are three people running around here eating his food for free and since they are the fruit of his loins they can darn well take out the trash and do other character building things....like mowing the lawn...and dishes!)

Back to my story. As I was walking out back to take that trash to the can I was happily humming the new song from church. The birds were singing. There was a gentle breeze. Jane Eyre was busily writing a new story of how perfect my life was at just that moment. Then?? Life stopped being so perfect. Just as I was lifting up the lid I saw something go plop out of the trash can. Things started going in slow motion after that. I turned my head to get a closer look and realized something was not quite right. Were those?? Could those be?? Noooooooooooooooo
Maggots. From all the rain we've had around here and the flies that have come out in droves I had maggots in mah trash can. Now people, we have talked about my little ocd-ish issues. You know that pine sol is my friend. I have "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" engraved on my heart. There is no room in my life for fly-babies.
I ran in the house to get the aforementioned hubby enjoying his Fathers Day on the couch to help me HELP ME I SAY!!! He comes outside after finding gloves and heavy shoes cause God knows that the (m-word) things will leap across the yard and get on him. Then he tells me that he will pour bleach on them. BLEACH!!!! I am trying to cultivate a bird paradise out there and he wants to get all happy with the bleach. A very loving talk ensues between two grown ups. One of those grown ups grabs the hose and starts spraying everything down that is even thinking about having a (m-word) on it. Hubby decided to go to the store and buy vinegar cause I guess vinegar will kill them. Wanna know something?? It doesn't.
After an hour of spraying the can down and getting them off of my sidewalk (and onto someone else's) I had a ton of happy robins eating away. Much chirping between them about how this was the best yard ever!
I then went into the house and took a long hot shower. And ate lamb. And told the son he had to make sure the trash went to the curb for the trash man...I may or may not have omitted the whole infestation problem-o we'd had earlier. :) Then I took another shower. Then I prayed that the flies and I had come to an understanding and they will be raising their babies elsewhere from now on.
heh.
Happy Fathers Day everyone!!!

Update: I just went to check the trash can and make sure all was well with my world. They are back. Not as many as before but there are at least 5 in there.
We may have to move.

My backyard oasis...

2009-06-09T04:58:00.003+09:00

Ahhhhhh the lazy days of summer have officially come to Dayton. I am using that as my excuse for not posting in the past two weeks or so.
What have I been doing you ask?? Working on my backyard! When we moved into the house last year the season was to far gone to plant anything. I closed my eyes to the work needing to be done and promised myself that as soon as spring hit I'd make a little place for myself out back. I dreamed all winter long of herbs...and tomatoes...flowers.....and a table.
I finally have it and I am ohhhhh so happy out here. :) See my tomatoes thriving next to the basil and lavender?

This used to be a pile of weeds....and yes this tiny space kept me up at night thinking about what to do with it. Now I can walk out my back door and breath a sigh of the contented.

This is where I sit with a crossword puzzle and a little sumpin sumpin in my favorite glass while watching night roll in.

And here is my favorite cat come to visit.

Thanks for sticking around waiting for my return with baited breath......you were sticking around with baited breath right?? Right??? Ummmm hello??? Is this thing still on???

heehee

Hope everyone out there has found a little oasis this summer!!

A trip to Columbus....

2009-06-09T04:49:00.006+09:00

Took a little trip to Columbus a couple of weeks ago to sit out in our friends wonderful garden and enjoy a barbecue. I love it out here. These two guys have done such a wonderful job in making this gorgeous 4 story (yep!) home a warm and inviting place to relax and take a load off.

There were arbors......and water features.....and grass mowed oh so wonderfully. I was in Heaven!

Being not of the party pooper variety I made myself at home in their kitchen of delight and found where they keep the Sumpin Sumpins. giggle.

sidenote: Plese exuse the double chin - I was retaining water that day.
Yes I was!!!

Then I may have flirted a bit with this piece of handsom-ness that is mah hus-bee-and.
(he is trying to look all unaffected by my womanyly while but let me tell you they work!! Yep!! The do...giggle!!)
It was a really nice Spring day. Lots of food was consumed and more sitting and enjoying was done. I did have pictures on here but because I am all not computer savvy and I am doing this while coloring my hair I deleted them by accident. sigh.
I don't even have a sumpin sumpin to blame it one.

A New Quilt....

2009-06-09T04:44:00.003+09:00

When I was at Leigh's house a couple of weeks ago we stopped by a fantastic quilt store called A Sewing Basket. This quilt was on their wall and called out to me to buy the kit. Yes, of course I listened and bought it right away. It's called The Hidden Cross and I thought it would be perfect for my Mother In Law. The only thing.....it's to big for my quilt frame so this baby is going to have to be sent out to my quilter.... Ms. Karen this quilt will be coming your way on payday. :)

It went together really fast....like a couple of days. Plus it was a lot of fun. It has been raining a bit here so sitting in front of my window watching the rain come down while quilting away and listening to the radio has been heaven for me.

Happy quilting everyone!!

Ahhhh it was the Irish In Me

2009-06-03T00:53:00.003+09:00

I never know what to do at Wakes or Funerals. Should I cry.....pass out tissue...stand somberly around and look very very sad......hug everyone as they pass and say Peace Be With You?? What to do. So many options.

I chose to do the following:

Walk up to the casket for the viewing with two of my brothers. As Mike and I kneel down together our other, very mature brother, stands behind us. It was a very solemn occasion. I could feel myself start to fidget and I wondered what does one say. I lean over to Mike all prepared to say something very profound and this pops out "I'll pay you a quarter if you touch him." Then we got the giggles. In between giggles I kept saying "Oh my goodness was that inappropriate...I am so sorry!!" Then we would look at each other and giggle some more. It's the Irish in me my mom says. We Wake our loved ones with toasts to health wealth and long life to those left behind and we laugh.

I love the Irish in me.

I love my brothers. All three of them. They are pretty amazing men.

My daddy had to say a few words and I cannot tell you how proud I was of him. He said beautiful words about his brother. Not a dry eye in the house. I didn't giggle once.....at least not until my brother, yep Mike again, leaned over and whispered "I'm going to Burger King...you in??!"

"Kind family and friends please join me in rhyme
Come lift up your voices in chorus with mine.
Come drink and be merry
Turning grief to good cheer.
Till we stand with him
Again drawing near.
Here's health to his family
And one to his lass.
We hold up a pint
And all share from one glass.
Let us drink and be merry
Turning grief to delight.
Till that day when we see him
And again hold him tight.
Here's health to his lass
That he adored without a doubt.
Their love and their bond
He could not live without.
Never failing his friends
Always there to give aid
Always leading his family
As he knelt and he prayed.
His ship lies in harbor
Waiting to sail
I pray for smooth seas
And soft winds to prevail.
When we leave here to meet him
Whether by land or by sea
I will never forget
His affection for me."

God Bless you and keep you Uncle Jack.

Plane Trip....

2009-05-31T21:57:00.002+09:00

I'm here safe and sound at the Rents house this morning. Had a wonderful night last night with all three of my brothers. We sat around a fire they built and just laughed and talked til I couldn't keep my eyes open any more. My stomach muscles hurt this morning from all the laughing and yes, I am counting that as an ab workout!
I had just about the best plane ride ever yesterday. I started to get worried when they assigned us seats before we boarded. I got an isle and really needed a window. I like to look out the window when we are taking off and landing. I feel I am helping the pilot fly. heeheehee. My seat mate walked up and since I am so nice I offered to move over so he could have the isle seat. He didn't speak much English and I am ashamed to admit when he appeared confused I told him it was all right, smiled my biggest smile and moved on over. Crisis averted and I was able to help the pilot get us off the ground. When we were air born I looked over at the man seated next to me. He had earplugs in and his eyes were closed. He slept the entire way and never once tried to talk to me. It was Heaven! He totally understood the "Rules Of The Air" which are no talking to Dawn as she is trying to read her Oprah magazine and look out the window every time there is turbulence so she can help the pilot stay on track with the amazing powers of her Jedi mind control.
When we landed he got up right away. I was able to be off that plane in under 5 minutes flat. I took my time getting to baggage claim and guess what?? I was the only one on that tiny crop duster plane that checked luggage. I didn't have to wait for five zillion bags to be unloaded. Mine zipped right out and I went outside to see my brothers a-waiting for me. I even had time to get a Starbucks.
Ahhhhhh Fate...you spoiled me yesterday and for that I am extremely grateful.

Off to Wake my Uncle Jack and hold my daddy's hand as he says his last goodbyes.
Hope everyone out there is safe and happy. Kiss your loved ones.

Road Trip...

2009-05-29T20:13:00.002+09:00

I had a great blog post planned for today. I have a quilt finished....a sweet coffee story....something Boo-Bear said that cracked me up...and a story about a guy who came to fix our bathroom. He walked up to the house smoking a cigarette. He put it out but left it on top of a wooden cabinet I have placed oh so pretty on our porch. heh.

All of these have to wait. My dads brother died. I am leaving on a jet plane really early tomorrow so I can be there for the wake. No funeral, just a wake. As my dads family is German and has no Irish or Scottish in them I fear there will be no shouting of "Cheers to Uncle Jack!!" while having a little shot of sumpin sumpin. The only way to get through a wake if you ask me.

So, I'm off to be there for my dad. And I'm taking a crop duster so if you could light a candle for me tomorrow morning and maybe do a chant that I get there safe and sound I'd really appreciate it!
Now go and call all of your uncles and tell them you love them!

International Festival Of Food....

2009-05-23T22:09:00.003+09:00

This weekend there was an International Food Festival at the Convention Center.
What's not to like about a festival totally devoted to food I ask ya??!
We took the youngest with us as the other two are feeling grown and were having lives of their own that night. heh.

I seem to have taken a lot of pictures of the Irish men in kilts...they are my people you know. I may also have yelled out "Jesus Mary and Joseph" a couple of times so that they could see I was one of them.

See, again with the men in kilts thing I had going on. My daughter asked what I was doing and I explained to her that I was taking pics of mah peeps. That I was half German...quarter Irish..and quarter Scottish...and yes I can hold my liquor thank you very much but no, I didn't share that little tid bit with her. :)
She then asked if we could go get some pics of her peeps with her new digital camera she got on her birthday. I said sure, thinking she would want me to grab a kilted Irishman for her to stand next to. Or a robust German...even maybe one of the Scots that were standing around the beer area. Umm no. My dirty blond haired, blue eyed baby walked over to the African booth. "Hello, I am of your people and my name is Boo Bear. Ignore the hair and eye color thing I have going on and ummm yeah, ignore the skin tone as well. I am working on that. Just know that I claim the Zulu as my own and get yourself over here so I can take a picture with you."

That's my girl............. Jesus Mary and Joseph.

I took pictures of her with her camera so do not have any to load on here. I think the man from Nigeria was puzzled with why she was so thrilled to be over by his booth. He must not have recognized her as the African Princess she strives to be.

After we hob-nobbed in Africa my husband spotted these two guys....

Tuskegee Airmen. Oh yeah. The Major (giggle giggle giggle!!) was in Heaven. He walked over to shake their hands and to tell them that because of what they went through he was able to become a Major a couple of days prior. Three happier men you couldn't have found in the whole place.

They were were really happy for him and signed the poster we bought. This is where I left my hubby....cause I was unable to pry him away from their stories of long ago and my daughter was getting antsy thinking that maybe there were people in the Africa Booth she hadn't met. This was causing her much worry and angst as all Zulu's must be met and silently looked at with worshipful awe.

I found this little lady while eating my bratwurst from Germany. She was quilting. She was lovely.

Ohio, you may just make me like you yet.

The Cake...and a very fashion forward 12 year old.

2009-05-23T22:02:00.002+09:00

This is the great saxophone cake we had made for Boo-Bears party last weekend. Was it good! She had no idea what cake we got for her and oh my goodness her reaction was even better then I'd hoped for. :)

Here is my baby blowing out her candles wearing her part-ay finery. She had spent the night at a friends house...she had a sleepover party...and I got her home 20 minutes before the first guest arrived. I was running around the house doing last minute things when I happened to look out the window and spotted my girl in a tie dyed t-shirt...stripped pink gingham capri's...and her hair. Good gracious. I guess it was in a pony tail. I just sighed and went about my business.

I had the cake to help me get over her fashion sense.

recap...

2009-05-22T22:07:00.002+09:00

Oh my gosh...my week.

Let me recap for you all out there...

Our daughters birthday bash on Saturday. Around 20 hungry, giggling, screaming, bouncing, candy eating girls descended on me. The saxophone cake was a huge hit. I took pictures, yes, and will upload it on here later to show you it's wonderfulness.

Sunday: Cleaned up after the almost 20 hungry, giggling, screaming, bouncing, candy eating girls.

Monday: Day of rest.

Tuesday: Hubby had surgery on his eyes. He didn't have Lasik. Nope. He had the more painful but much more workable for his eye astigmatisms PRK.

Weds: Taking care of husband. Drops every two hours. Big huge bags of medicine. Pad of paper on the dining room table to keep track of everything.

Thursday: Think about drugging up husband good and proper and then sneaking off to see Terminator. Get found out by angry children who told me (yeah, they really did) that I should sit on the couch and think about what I was about to do. Didn't go to movies after thinking about what I was about to do. Secretly did not feel bad about wanting to see Terminator and almost drugging the hubby with extra pain meds. Did feel bad about being found out.

Friday: Still taking care of husband and his bag o' drugs and having to clean house and do a mass of laundry.

Oh, in between all of this I totally redid our backyard patio area. Planted 4 tomato plants and a bunch of herbs on one side and a bunch of marigolds on the other. Complete with small wooden gate-y things lovingly placed in a 4 inch ditch I had to dig on my hands and knees. Think wild back yard with weeds up to the kneecaps now transformed into a lovely oasis.
I am now officially calling myself a gardener.

I also worked out two days this week. Yep. I am woman hear me roar. I am off to tackle this laundry and start my clean up.

Have a wonderful three day weekend everyone!

Turning 12...

2009-05-17T23:07:00.001+09:00

Our very own little Boo-Bear turned 12 last Thursday. Today is the big birthday bash. She has been planning this party for months. She wanted a bouncy...a barbecue...music....a scavenger hunt...and she wanted to invite every girl she knew. What did I say??

BRING IT!

Today I will have anywhere from 10 - 25 girls here. What do I say to that??

I AM READY FOR YA!!!!!

Pray for me int-net. Just pray.

Someone must die....

2009-05-15T20:40:00.003+09:00

You know those blog posts where mothers wax poetic about their love for all their children?? You do?? Well let me tell you.....this is not that kind of post.

OMG mornings with my youngest!!!! There is not enough coffee in the world to dull the pain known as she and I in the morning. Seriously, water boarding has nothing on her.

This morning we had the doozy of all fights. Want to know what it was about?? WATER!!! Yes my friends, I fought with my daughter over a glass of water. More specifically a glass of water that she kept telling me she neeeeeded. She didn't just tell me....she kept yelling "Mom!! Oh Mom!! Where are you mom with my water?!?!!!!"

People. Oh my gosh people. Each time she yelled for me AT 7 FLIPPIN AM!!!! I thought surely this would be the last time. That she would know she was oh so close to being shipped to China. But no. She is nothing if not persistent in her torture. The fifth time she yelled for me I actually levitated from my hiding place. Yes, I was hiding from her. Sad I know but we do what we must in times such as these and sitting on my freshly made bed with laptop on lap was the only thing keeping her alive at the moment.
As I opened the door to the sewing room, where she was on the treadmill getting her half hour in, my head actually popped off. It really did. Well, okay, not really, but I think I scared her with the crazy eyes a'la Jonathan Rhys Myers cause she stopped in mid yell and started to try and explain why SHE WAS DRIVING ME CRAZY IN THE MORNING YET AGAIN!!!! You know, it's funny, my voice sounded high yet low all at the same time. I think I even gritted my teeth when I told her "STOP CALLING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER SAY MOM AGAIN!!!!!!!!" Ahhhh yes, the love of a mother knows no bounds.
Now we are in our respective corners. She is in her room getting ready for school and I am in my room waiting for her to go. I think I may have a headache. And an ulcer.
Isn't it 5 o'clock somewhere??????

Blogging Friends.....

2009-05-08T06:53:00.006+09:00

Blogging is so much more then putting thoughts and ideas out there in the world. You actually can make friends with people you've never met. People who pray for you....who worry with you over kids and husbands (or wives)....people you do the same for. I have a couple of bloggers in my cyber life I consider friends. People I would excitedly hop on the plane to go see if my husband would win the lottery already and keep me in the life I could easily become accustomed to. These three ladies would be at the top of my list.

Tracey read that my birthday was a-comin and sent me some goodies all the way from Australia. She is an artist who makes cards, calendars and magnets from pictures of her life. In her spare time she quilts...raises chooks....takes care of her family....helps to run her farm.....and is in charge of making sure that people who lost everything in those terrible fires have a quilt to warm not only their bodies, but their souls. She has opened up her home to collect donated squares from all around the world. Round these parts we call her Saint Tracey. :) Thank you my friend for thinking of me on my special day.

On to the wonderful Chocolate Cat. She shot me an email a couple of weeks ago asking for my kids real life names and how to spell them. Of course I told her...also told her our home address and all of our social security numbers cause I am nothing if not trusting! heehee

Look what she had made for me! I have worn it every day and when people ask me where I got it with wonder and awe in their voices I tell them from my dear friend who lives in Australia. Ms. Chocolate Cat is also helping Tracey with the quilts going to people who have suffered in the fires. She was raising some chooks as well as but her dog decided they were his personal play things and may have chewed on a couple.

Are you getting that there are some pretty special people living in the land down under??

Yep. There are! We have been emailing back and forth for awhile now asking each other all kinds of questions about living life in different countries. I tell her exotic stories about American Idol and she tells me all about living over there. She is special.....and hands off America! I saw her first!!!

For awhile I had been seeing a name I didn't recognize in my comments. I checked to see if the person had a blog and nope, no go. No email either. Hmmmm. I was curious so sent out a note on the blog for her to contact me so we could share secrets and become bestys. You know what?? She did!!!!! And for that I am oh so glad.

Today when I went to the mail box I saw a package. I may have squealed when I saw her name on it. I opened up the box and saw presents. Could this card be any cuter??!

And hello!!!! Look at this masterpiece of wonderfulness!!!!! When my youngest came over to look at all the goodies I may have karate chopped her and told her hands off.

Also, you know someone totally gets you when they send you a book mark. I pink puffy heart book marks and may have gotten teary cause I felt so fortunate and loved. You guys out there in blogland are the best!!!

I have a secret to share. Shhhhhhhh don't tell, but I have always wanted one of these hearts. Always. When I see them on other blogs I may have a twinge of the jealousies. Just a twinge, and I'm not proud of it but there it is.

So can you imagine how happy I was when I opened this in the box??!!!

For those of you out there that are wondering what wonderful things Mascanlon does...she is in charge of fixing global warming and just yesterday took care of the whole stimulus package mess on her own. :) You go girl!!!

Seriously you guys....thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! You rock and made my turning 40 extra specially nice. :)

On mothers day and be-heinies!

2009-05-08T05:44:00.003+09:00

As I was taking the 16 year old to work today I noticed she was a tad grumpy. I asked her what was wrong and she proceeded to tell me that she has stress and angst. (okay I made up the angst part but what teen isn't filled with angst at 16??) The reason she is feeling all glass half empty is because she is saving for a trip to see a good friend this summer....saving for a car...her sisters birthday next weekend and the holy grail of holidays is this Sunday. What?? Don't know what the holy grail of holidays is?? It is Mother's Day ya'll!
In an effort to help her with at least one of those problems I gave her some hints as to what a certain mother in her life would luv luv luv for Mothers Day. She looked worried cause the last time I mentioned a gift I wanted more then life itself it was the quilt frame. I told her not to worry cause this gift would only cost around $10!!!! I told her to buy me a ticket to a movie on Sunday. Then get with her brother and have him buy me a ticket to a movie after that...also on Sunday. The youngest can hop on the bandwagon as well and buy a ticket for a movie after that.....yep, on Sunday. The hubby?? He can buy me a large popcorn and large soda so I can refill them all day long. After my speech and much sighing and saying Nirvana...sweet sweet Nirvana, my daughter said "are you really serious?? You want to sit in the movie theatre all day long??" I told her yes indeedy and I even know what movies I want to see! She, I am sure, was on pins and needles to hear what those movies were and since I am now a mature woman of 40 probably thought I'd want to see Foreign Films or something. I swear it's like some days they don't even know me at all. I am the woman who saw Twilight three times...okay 5! Yes, 5. Edward totally had me at "How you doin!"

Here are my movie pics in order of importance:

1. Star Trek...cause yes my inner 12 year old nerd loves her some Spock! and some Dr. Bones.....and who can resist Scotty?? I'm a mother not a hermit!! (heeheeheeheehee)

2. Wolverine...Hugh Jackman bears his heinie...can there be anything better in a dark movie theatre with a large popcorn and a large soda then some Hugh Jackman heinie?? What!!!??? You know you want to see it for that reason too!!!

3. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past....Matthew McConaughey, nuff said.

I do not want anyone to go to the movies with me. My hubby (note to hubby...I really don't care about Hugh Jackman and his heinie...really, I don't) falls alseep. The 16 year old asks questions during every movie. The 11 year old will probably get scared and want to sit out in the lobby and the 19 year old wants to see deep movies with a message like The Soloist.

Also, moms out there...we go to church on Sunday and I really really really don't want to pretend to be hungry at 6am (is it just me that feels like that???) cause that's when I have to eat their breakfast lovingly prepared so we can make it to church. I love my family. Lord knows I do, but trying to eat eggs and bacon and toast as soon as my eyes open without any coffee to fortify my loins makes me weak in the knees!!!
I would love to just get myself ready without the 11 year old whining at me that her leg hurts...her toes hurt...her tummy hurts....her hair follicles hurt...she may expire any second...all to stay home and sleep longer instead of getting her Jesus on. I would like to be taken to Starbucks where I can order a Grande Caramel Macchiato from Barista Boyfriend Will (his name is not really Will, this is just my nickname for him ever since he told me that "Girl! Love your earrings!!" I fell in love with him on the spot and am working up the courage to ask if I can call him Will and will he call me Grace) also, along with the coffee I want to get an apple fritter.

These are the secret desires of my heart. I plan on leaving hints all over the house. Lets see if it works. Wish me luck!!!!
Viva La Hugh Jackmans Heinie!!!!

2009-05-07T07:27:00.002+09:00

I've been cranking out the quilts on the new frame! Here is a dress quilt that I made. I finished it this afternoon. It is from the book Quilting With My Sister (found the book Lise!! :) )

Each dress is hand appliqued and then I tried to get creative with the sashes.

This is a quilt I made for Boo-Bears teacher. I plan on giving it to her at the end of the school year as a thank you. I may have posted about this one before but since I have no memory (yes, my children have sucked it all away) I figured I'd put it out there today.

This quilt is for a special someone in my life. Can't say who in case she's reading this. She has a bunch of quilts around her home, I wanted her to have one from me. :)

K, that's all I got for today. I'm off to watch my most favorite show, Lie To Me. Love that show!!!!

Have a nice night everyone!!

2009-05-05T07:46:00.004+09:00

What do you do when your hubby is having one of the biggest days of his life and you have promised yourself that you will take pictures to capture this moment for him...forever?? Of course you get all caught up in the ceremony and the wonderfullness of it all and leave your camera in your purse.....and you also don't take pics of when you surprise him with a visit from his Nana aka The Person He Loves Most In The World cause then you would be arrested for taking pictures in a secure area.

What to do???? If you have a Jen in your life then you are set!
Jen came with camera in hand and took all these pictures for us. I cannot tell her thank you enough!!!
First up is the flags that were in the front of the room.
Pa-retty snazzy!!

The woman smiling in acute happiness is my mother in law. I think we grinned at each other all day long! heehee

After a couple of speeches about how great this all was it was time to pin on his new rank of Major. The Son took one side and I took the other. The hubby just stood there looking very nibble-able and proud.

His mother and Nana got to put the ummmmmmm I think the correct term would be the Clamp Thingies on The Pokey Thingie.

Here are mah girls waiting their turn.

It takes a village to pin a Major.

This is the swearing in of the new rank. Yeah, I was looking for some tissue round this time.

In case anyone out there is wondering if it was a happy day, we have this picture.

(Totally my favorite moment of the day Jen!!!)

Yeah, a good time was had by all...a special thanks to my daddy for driving 7 hours in the car to come for the ceremony. You da' bomb diggity!!

The Promotion Ceremony....

2009-05-04T21:44:00.002+09:00

It is official. My Capt is now a Major! He had his promotion ceremony last week. As a surprise I flew his grandmother in...you should have seen the look on his face! I couldn't take any pics of it cause where he works has a bunch of classified stuff and they don't allow cameras. Bummer.
His mom also flew in as a surprise...my dad drove up...a friend of his from 20 years ago drove in...and My Ya-Ya, Jen, and family came. It was awesome!!! There was pomp...and circumstance....his speech was a tear jerker.....we had cake....there were about 402 trips to the airport...we had dinner out...shopping.....wine....wine....wine......It was perfect in every possible way. I was able to get one picture before the ceremony started and then got caught up in it all. Yep. Bad blogger, I know. So now I'm back baby!!! I've got stuff to say! I just need to clean my house and get started on this massive laundry pile. Our dryer broke last week in the midst of all the company. When the repair man came and opened it up he called me in to look at the lint build up. I can only say OH MY GOSH!!!! He had me call maintenance so they could flush out our dryer vent. It took them 30 minutes to get past the clog. That's how full it was. I am very thankful that we did not have a fire. Seems a little bird has had a nest in there for awhile. heh. Stooopid nature.
Thank you to everyone who hung in there with me during these three weeks of absence and sent me emails to check up on me. A special thanks to Chocolate Cat and Ozcountryquiltingmum for sending me some wonderful pressies on my birthday. I am going to put pics of those on here.....as soon as I can get some of the clutter put away.

I'm off to start my Monday. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!!!!!
d

2009-04-27T21:41:00.002+09:00

I know, I totally dropped off the face of the earth. Things are busy my way. The Capt is having a big ceremony this week cause he is becoming a Major!!! Big Big Doings!! We have a couple of surprises in the works for him that I can't post on here in case he reads the ole' blog this week. I'll be taking this week off from blogging since there is so much to do. I hope I have some readers still when I return. I need to do a blog post thanking some wonderful Aussies out there!! They sent me some birthday pressies that I am in awe over. You guys are so great.......I just loves ya!!

Gotta run...did I mention our dryer went kaputz?? Yep. Life didn't want me to get bored or anything! :)
Happy Monday everyone!!

Two down, one to go...

2009-04-19T21:54:00.002+09:00

Our Jen left about 5 minutes ago.
I am having one more cup of coffee and then it is my turn to start getting ready.
We leave for the airport in about 2 hours.

I am savoring.

The Great Ya-Ya Reunion of 09' is almost at an end.

sigh

And then there were three.....FINALLY!!!!

2009-04-17T06:33:00.002+09:00

Oh yeah! Our girl made it to Te-Has this afternoon!! Leigh and I saw her pull up and made a mad dash to find our cameras. After much hugging Jen broke out the presents.....ahhhhhh presents!

What do you get for the girl who just turned 40????? You get her all kinds of goodies to snack on and some FABRIC!!!!!!!!

Mine is on the right and the one she got for Leigh is on the left. Yes fellow fabric lovers, we hugged it and called it pressssssssssssssssssious. I may even sleep with mine tonight.

Speaking of fabric, here is the kit I got the other day. Isn't it luscious!!!!!!!!! Yep, I hug it and call it pressssssssssious too.
I may have a sickness.

Here is me with my loot. Can you see that the sparkle is back in my eyes??! I am back with my girls and haven't felt this happy and yet so settled inside of my sould in months.

Ya-Ya's...they do a body good.

:)