Life's Been Good To Me Sew Far

guest blogger

2011-12-17T16:56:00.000-08:00

Melissa is still on the Injured Reserve list for FNSI and i told her that i would type up a post for her ... so ... prepare yourself for minimal punctuation, missing capital letters, slang, and sentences ending with prepositions...

i started by asking her exactly what it was that she was doing last night whilst Sven Thorson and i were slaving away on the OTR trees ... ahem ... after coming down from her high horse, she showed me the stack of presents that she wrapped with absolutely no help from me...

wait for it...

think these will fit in Santa's sleigh?!?
aren't those just the cutest things?!? she wrapped each present that she and i are giving this year to resemble Santa's middle ... the pictures don't do them justice ... and you can't see the big blue tote that is filled with smaller presents ... lots of them ... i humbly bow to her present-wrapping prowess ... i am a present-wrapping slacker ... i used to love to wrap gifts in red foil paper with huge white satin bows and hand-made ornaments adorning them ... but then crankiness set in and now people are lucky if i remember to take off the price tag before i shove whatever the gift is back into the store's bag and throw it at them ... after all, it's the thought that counts, innit?!?

she also worked on some scrapbook pages, but i am not allowed to see them cuz they are surprises for my plentieth birthday ... sheesh

well ... i guess that's all i have to say about that
xoxo,
dianne
i dunno ... do you think she will ever ask me to post for her again?!?

FNSI Injury Report...

2011-12-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

Yet again FNSI has taken a turn for the bloody for me. This time it was in the form of a severe, vicious, malicious, heinous, cruel paper cut.

I decided to get to work on the ONE thing mom asked for for her birthday. A scrapbook. Scrapbooking sounded harmless enough and I was ready to get my butt in gear. Just after finishing the first page the curse of FNSI struck me yet again with a very deep blood-pouring paper cut on my left ring finger.

Tombstone's Doc Holiday played by LuLu!!!
I was actually watching the very bloody scene when Morgan dies when the injury occurred.

I bandaged myself up and got back to work. After all, it was just a flesh wound. All in all, I got 9 pages done and in her book. Just 2 more and I am good to go.

On a lighter note I would like to relate a nice little story that happened today. Mom and I were out shopping. We were paying for our stuff when an Eagles Christmas song came on the speakers.

Hey mom - it's the Eagles!

No, it's not.

Yes, it is. It's Don singing. Ya know - the drummer.

How do you know this stuff?!? You're just weird.

It's All Fun And Games...

2011-11-19T11:49:00.000-08:00

Until Someone Gets Poked.

For FNSI I decided to work on a couple of things (at least that was the plan).

I worked on my Northern Lights BOM blocks for this month.

Then tragedy struck. On the very last seam the now bloody U-Turn pin jabbed into my bird finger and dangled there as I writhed in severe pain.

After the blood stopped gooshing out, I came to the conclusion that what I wanted to work on was not a good idea.

I was going to put the naming square on A Chip Off the Old Bark. That's right!!! It's quilted and bound!!! I figured that my finger had enough of sharp pointy objects for the day.

I love the quilting. Thank you, Liz!!! You did a great job!!!

From Fall to Winter in One Night!!!

2011-10-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

For FNSI I wanted to work on something I already had started.

I really like how bright they are and am so happy they are put together. Thank you mom for figuring out the block!!!

Since I finished the Northern Lights blocks for the BOM I had to choose something else to work on.

I decided to keep working on my Wintergraphix quilt I started last weekend. It has a lot of paper piecing and it's taking a while.

It's still in pieces but they are starting to take shape.

Mom and I listened to the Eagles first. I had to pick their first greatest hits CD because mom like the songs she knows and can sing along. Then we listened to James Taylor's greatest hits. When that CD finished it was just in time for Monk to come on. We watched one episode together and then my poor little legs were tired from standing and trimming and pressing, so I stopped to watch more TV, Nikita and Supernatural, and work on a puzzle I started a while back.

Disorder and Confusion Everywhere!!!

2011-09-17T20:05:00.000-07:00

A few months ago Mom and I purchased the Ghastlies. I got mine in white and orange. I didn't know what I was going to do, but I had a good feeling about it.

I have never designed my own quilt before, feeling that I didn't have the skills and, most importantly, the patience to get all the pieces to fit together. I put off drafting a pattern until I had all the fabric. So after I got them, I sat down and spent an entire night graphing out blocks for each of the characters I wanted to have in my quilt. I wasn't very confident about them, so I put them away for another day.

I got out the plans and the fabric a couple days ago and decided to try out my pattern. I got through the fifth block and realized I didn't have enough of the orange cats to finish the other blocks. So I had to order more and wait for the fabric. It arrived on Thursday to my delight.

For FNSI I did the last three blocks that I needed to finish to put my quilt together. As I pieced my blocks, I watched Monk (and I thought I had a lot of phobias).

Here they are all together.

Just to let everyone know, there will be sashing in between the blocks, so they won't be right next to each other. I think for not having any real plan to start with, they turned out pretty good. I am a little more confident in designing my own quilts.

I'm Late! I'm Late! For A Very Important Date!!!

2011-08-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

In the aftermath of the Broncos win last night, I forgot to post my FNSI. So, here it is. Better late than never.

I worked on the pineapple blocks that mom has been bugging me to finish. I have them pretty far along and I am excited about working on them again. I think the excitement this time has to do with everything being pretty much already cut.

In the Meadow...

2011-07-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

...We can build a snowman (or a family in my case)

For this month's FNSI I decided to work on the Winter Wonderland project that I started back when rocks were soft and mist was in the air.

I finished this block and traced out another block last night.

Help! I Need Somebody! HELP!!!

2011-07-17T16:40:00.000-07:00

Mom recently referred to the incentive that she bought me. Here is the result...

Now I need the advice of the blog world. Are the paper pieced blocks arranged in a best way possible? If you think that some of the blocks would look better elsewhere please let me know.

Hide and Seek!!!

2011-06-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

Last night was FNSI. So I settled in and thought about what (of my many projects that have been started) I should work on.

Mom has been on me about finishing my candy cane quilt that hasn't gotten finished yet. We got some new fabrics this week and she has been thinking of how to use them. She realized that the candy cane fabric from a Very Fairy Christmas looked a lot like the candy cane that I embroidered last year. So I dragged out my stitching and blocks that are finished. It was a perfect match.

So I (after many "work on them! work on them!" from mom) decided to work on my last three paper pieced blocks and see how far I could get.

I got my stuff ready, then I looked around for the back up fabric that I have for when (yes, when because I know that I will) I mess up. I couldn't find it any where. I spent about twenty minutes tearing up my side of the sewing room and trying to get it back together again. I gave up looking and hoped for the best.

The two blocks I got done and two of my embroidered blocks on the perfect fabric for sashing.

I was also given my first pair of stork scissors by my mom yesterday, and I have to show them off. I don't have much fondness for birds, and the feeling is mutual. They are the ones that started the feud. I have always wanted a pair of stork scissors for myself, but I couldn't find any that I liked. These are perfect.

This is the stitching bag I got from Ant Nicci and my NEW black and white stork scissors.

I collect pins and decided this is the perfect place to put some of them. The pin with my name has been in a button tin for as long as I can remember. 2 are from my recent trip to Florida. 4 of them are from the shop hop that mom and I try to go to every year. (You'll never guess which little pal might join us this year - if we go.)

Let Your Hair Down!!!

2011-05-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

I was so excited for this FNSI, since I missed last one.

I started out my night by trying to catch up on my BOM's and the extra blocks that I am making along with them.

After I got all but one of the blocks done I got to work on a project for my LuLu. Mom and I bought her a big girl nap mat with Rapunzel, from Tangled, on it. The pillow isn't very big so I decided to make her a Rapunzel pillow case for an extra pillow.

As so often happens one turned into two!!!

Where I Have Been!!!

2011-05-21T11:46:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I last posted. (Or that is what mom tells me.)

(Me and the conductor of the Hogwarts Express)

I have been pretty busy this month. I went on my first vacation in 7 years. I accompanied my sister's family on their trip to Orlando, Florida. We did the usual tourist stuff, Disney World (all 4 major parks), Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Sea World.

The first night there we attended the Arabian Nights dinner show. It was a lot of fun and very interactive. Gumdrop loved it since she is very into horses.

LuLu missed getting her picture with her favorite Disney movie character, Mulan, by 2 seconds at Epcot. She did get to wave and say, "Hi." I really enjoyed the topiary characters. But my favorite part of Epcot had to be seeing Off Kilter sing "The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond." I love this song and seemed to be the only one in the crowd who knew it. The rest of them must not have read Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon because Rodger sings at the Scottish/Irish festival.

We did the VIP tour of Sea World and got to feed Sting Rays, Dolphins, and Sea Lions. We got to see the Dolphin show, the Sea Lion pirate show, and the whale show, Believe. My sister and Gumdrop went on Atlantis with me and got pretty wet. We ate at the Luau dinner that they have at Sea World and it was a lot of fun, even though with my food allergies I couldn't eat much. We all got to feed Dolphins and Sea Lions. LuLu loved the Dolphins.

While Nojo was taking the picture of LuLu feeding the Dolphins he failed to see that she had just stolen his biggest fish. She is too cute for him to be mad for very long. What a great big brother.

Islands of Adventure has the Harry Potter village of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle. This is where I had the best time. I love Harry Potter and it was the major reason why I went on the trip. I went on all the rides there and have the best picture of all the accumulated photos taken on our journey. I got to drink butter beer and pumpkin juice. I was only able to bring mom back a pumpkin juice but she was happy with that. The ride in the castle was so much fun. If you love Harry Potter and want to feel like you're part of the story this is the ride for you.

(This is my favorite picture. The guy at the photo desk couldn't stop laughing at the look on my face. Yes, I am afraid of spiders!)

The last thing we did was go to Cocoa Beach, which I was also excited to visit since it is where "I Dream of Jeannie" takes place. I absolutely love that show. You can ask mom. I drive her nuts with it.

Bloom Where You're Planted!!!

2011-03-19T16:56:00.000-07:00

Last night was FNSI and of course I participated. But before I get into all that fun stuff, I hope everyone had a very green St. Patty's Day. I know I did (I spent the whole day watching and singing Celtic Thunder Heritage)!!!

So what did I get accomplished? Well...

I decided to use the night to catch up on my BOM's. I had five blocks to finish. I managed to finish before midnight.

This is the neutral block that needed to be done by April 9. Also pictured is the super-duper coffee fabric that I bought to go with my coffee quilt. It has officially been named "Clouds In My Coffee."

The first is my favorite block so far. The last two are my least favorite blocks so far.

These are the Lakehouse blocks for February and March that I am making along with the neutral blocks.

These are the previous months of Lakehouse blocks.

In Short...

2011-02-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

no pun intended on my part (I know that I am short)

This FNSI I worked on a couple of things. I traced out the snowflake angel that mom is going to embroider for me. That was number one.

The second thing I worked on is a secret project for LuLu's birthday in April. I can't put a full photo up, but here is a sneak peek at the backing.

SHHHHH!!! Don't tell LuLu!!!

The third thing I worked on was the outline of my candy cane letter T.

I have had a pretty busy past few days and have not felt very good. I did do my Best-Auntia-In-The-World duty and watched my nephew, NoJo, play basketball. I knew he had King Louie arms for a reason. He won 38-4. GO NOJO!!! Then I hung out with my sister, The Glamazon, and two of her friends in a Girls' Day Out.

So in short (no pun intended) I am tired and going to turn in early.

Lovely!!!

2011-01-22T17:12:00.000-08:00

My FNSI started off with a wee bit of shopping. Mom and I went to JAF and bought her background fabric for the new BOM (Hot Flashes) at The Quilters Studio. Then we went to Hobby Lobby to get the knitting needles that I needed.

When I was about 9 or 10 years old, my mom tried to teach me how to knit. I started out with a skein of red cotton yarn and a pair of size 8 knitting needles. I would knit and knit and knit. And after I went to bed, she would try to fix the mess I'd made. I lost interest (if I ever had any) and she gave up on me ever becoming a domestic goddess.

Last month I bought a book to learn how to knit. I started a knitting project (that I bought the needles for). I am not very good at all and, after failing four times to get the first row, I moved on to a different project.

I pressed the panda and bamboo batik fabrics for a quilt that I have had planned for a while. But then I remembered that the fabrics hadn't been prewashed, so I decided to work on something else.

I ended the night working on an afghan that I started a couple of years ago for Mom. I have made one for myself. Mom loved it and wanted one, too. I worked on it and listened to "A Breath of Snow and Ashes" till I was too tired to keep my eyes open.

Lovely!!!

Mom says that I sound just like the little old ladies in "Saving Grace" when I talk about how lovely things are.

Diana - I love Grace. I really, really love her ...
Quentin - Right. Where do I find her?
Diana - In a lovely, lovely house. I love her.
Quentin - And how do I find the lovely, lovely house?
Diana - Up the lovely, lovely hill

from Saving Grace

A Renegade!!!

2010-12-18T16:37:00.000-08:00

The second FNSI was last night, and what a night it was. I started early cause I had lots ta do. I have Christmas presents currently residing in front of my sewing machine, so I knew I had to do hand work. Good thing too, because I am several months behind on my candy cane letters.

I traced out the rest of the alphabet p-z and decided that I would work on the outlines only, and see how far I got. I worked on them while I watched the ending of Renegade season 1. Then it was time for the four hours of Without A Trace, so I stitched during the commercials. Then I stitched during the beginning of Renegade season 2. I got the outlines to P and Q done and was starting R when the thread had a hissy fit. My thread kept snapping. After giving it a good tongue-thrashing, I decided to go to bed.

Mom wanted me to skip to U after P so that my post would say P.U.

Since I didn't completely finish any of the letters, I didn't take a picture. I will post them when they are done so everyone can see.

My Birthday FNSI!!!

2010-12-11T13:46:00.000-08:00

So, let's start at the beginning. FNSI was on my birthday and, of course, I sewed and celebrated in style. I spent most of Friday morning at the Colorado DMV. Not the best place to spend your birthday, but certainly not the worst. After we were done there, mom offered to buy me lunch anywhere I wanted and she had no input since she wouldn't be eating. We both happened to be sick on my birthday, with different things. I chose the one place that she hates more than anything since she wasn't going to eat anyway. I love Taco Bell. She says she wants a place that gives you an after dinner mint. Well, it so happens that I was given not just a mint, but a peppermint with my meal.

I have the PROOF!!!

When we got home, I got to open my presents which were mostly quilting stuff. 2 quilt kits, some tiger fabric, a panel that I have been wanting, and the Monopoly panel that I need to make up the back of my monopoly quilt. I got a tea towel from Ant Nicci. Nicci also gave me a lighted compact mirror that she embroidered with an eye that looks just like my own. My sister and her kids gave me a lucky bamboo plant and a shamrock ring. Mom also gave me the fifth season of Supernatural on DVD.

Not photoed: Lucky the plant and Supernatural Season 5.

I watched John Cena on The Talk and ate my lunch. After I was done I went into the sewing room and started on my gift to myself. Mom bought me a red hat with black trim about a month ago, but I needed to have my black pea coat cleaned before I wore it. The coat came back from the cleaners, but I still needed a red and black bag to go with my new hat, so I made one for my birthday for FNSI.

After I finished the bag, I got to eat my favorite food in the entire world. My mom made me her lasagna, garlic bread and a salad. After that we ate a very expensive white chocolate raspberry cake. Mom got me colored flame candles and they were so awesome.

I was also given a feather weight sewing machine for my birthday and Christmas for the next ten years. I have named him Castiel, my little angel.

My FNSI was, indeed, very special. I also got the entire series of Renegade on DVD which is really cool and I can't wait to watch it and finally know how the show ends.

Yes, I do know that I am spoiled!!!

Melissa's Day Off!!!

2010-12-06T06:39:00.000-08:00

It's not very often that mom and I get 5 days off in a row. So we make the most of it. Over Thanksgiving I had big plans to get things done. But, of course, I put every thing I wanted to get done till the last 2 days.

On Saturday I started to quilt BroBro's quilt. Everything was going pretty good, that is to say not too much cursing at the machine. I was almost at the half way mark when everything went horribly wrong.

I was starting a new row, listening to music on my little MP3 player. I had the needle in the right spot and I was holding everything steady with my left thumb. I reached over with my right hand and looked for the needle down button.

Unfortunately, I found it. The needle went down straight through my thumb and into the quilt and stayed there. I knew I needed the needle back up, so I hit the needle down button again. And up it came, with my thumb still attached.

I called calmly for help.

"Mom, can you come help me please?" you can never forget to say please, no matter the situation.

"Yeah, I'm coming" she called back.

I was afraid I was going to start bleeding, and the last thing I needed right then was to ruin the quilt. So I called "Can you please hurry?"

"Yeah, what do you need?" she said, half way down the bigger stair case.

"Could you please help me?" there was no other way to say it. "My thumb is stuck on the machine." I was trying to loosen the screw that attached the needle to the machine so that I could get the needle off and my wound away from the quilt.

"Your thumb is what?!?" I could tell that she thought she heard me wrong, which happens a lot.

"My thumb," I was starting to lose my cool head since I had some one else there who was detached from the situation, "is stuck on the needle."

She came down the stairs. I could see from the look on her face that she didn't quite believe it until she saw it. She went to slide my thumb off the needle. I admit that I had to look away. She snipped the thread oh yeah, there was plenty of thread but thankfully someone was looking out for me and there was no bobbin thread. I ran up the small staircase and over to the kitchen sink. With my thumb thread still through it hanging over the sink, I bounced impatiently for mom to get there to finish the job.

"Get it out! Get it out!" I moaned as she reached me. As she started squeezing my thumb to cleanse it, I started to feel light headed. All I could think was, "Am I losing so much blood that I'm going to faint?" I know now that I should have said this out loud. It would have warned mom what was about to happen next.

The next thing I knew was that mom was holding me tightly. She was asking me what hurt. I could think of only one thing.

"My thumb!" I said.

"Anything else?" she asked. It was by this point that I realized I was not standing, I was laying one the floor.

"My head. Did I pass out?"

"Yes, yes ... you did. You're going to be okay."

"I think I'm done for the day." I told her. She laughed a little and then I completely lost it. "I hate that quilt! I really hate that quilt!!!" I sobbed as she held me.

I am so glad that I have my mom. I don't know what I would have done if she hadn't been there. I think on my next day off I will take things slower and stick to less dangerous activities.

Tree Quilts and Fairies!!!

2010-11-20T17:15:00.000-08:00

FNSI was last night and I had a great time. Yes, Mom, I finished the bookmark a month ago. That will be in another post at another time.

So, what did I work on? Well, I worked on Mom's Christmas present. She already knows that she is getting it and is very excited. About a year ago I made a quilt that I refer to as my tree quilt. As so often happens to me, I had enough extra blocks to make a small quilt which I refer to as mini tree quilt. Mom has no suggestions on a real name for it and I am out of ideas. Last night I started putting the binding on the mini tree quilt. Mom picked the backing when the quilt was still mine. She said it should be a "drinking coffee on a Sunday morning" quilt.

I also worked on the sunflower afghan that I hope to one day finish. I am a novice when it comes to crochet, so I am learning a lot. I am trying to do this without asking Mom a billion questions. You would have to ask her if I am succeeding or not.

I watched Supernatural last night and laughed so hard I had to put the quilt down before I permanently injured myself. Sam and Dean had to battle it out with leprechauns and fairies.

I said last month that Mom had a bad encounter with the quilting frame. This month it was my turn. Last week I was loading a quilt for my brother on the frame and as I bent over to get it on right, my head smacked the frame. The frame is 12 feet long and of those 144 inches, half an inch has a bolt on it. And, of course, with my luck and gracefulness I hit the bolt. It is safe to say I am stearing clear of the frame for a while.

Sun Knot Moon

2010-10-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

For my FNSI I read a little and stitched a little. I started a new book recently called The Red Pyramid. Not many people know that I am interested in Ancient Egyptian Mythology. I am really enjoying it, even though I find the sister in the book, Sadie, to be incredibly annoying. The gods' personalities are by far my favorite characters.

This book brings Egyptian mythology to this century in an entertaining way. Since it is the first book in the series, I decided I need a bookmark.

I finished the "Sun" Eye of Horus and started work on the Knot of Isis that I drafted my self.

I plan on stitching the "Moon" Eye of Horus as well. The story goes that Set, Horus' brother/uncle, stole Horus' eye. Thoth, the scribe of the gods, made him a new eye from pieces of the moon.

This is what mom had to drink last night. Hmmm ... "Throwback" ... I thought that can't be foreshadowing at all. Within an hour, mom almost threw her back out trying to take out stitches in the quilt that she is quilting for Ant Nicci.

Wildfire!!!

2010-09-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

Even though mom and I are not in any of the wildfire zones right now, we are feeling the effects.

The Slurry Bombers fly right over our house every run and they are very close to the ground and very loud.

All in a night's work!!!

2010-09-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

How did I start my FNSI? WELL, I started it the best way possible. I went with mom and spent the rest of my shop hop winnings at Harriet's Treadle Arts. These are my goodies. I was so excited that I got to replace mom's big ruler. We don't share rulers well. Kidding, we work well together. I got some little paper pieced block kits to practice my paper piecing. I also got a new spiffy quilt journal to document my finished quilts. I found some sunflower fabric I didn't have so I had to get fat quarters of each of them. Mom also found a fat quarter of a candy cane stripe that I got as well. I am glad that money is spent. It was burning a hole in my purse.

When we got home I settled in and started working on the "n" that I was supposed to get done last month.

After the "n" was finished I worked on my new Saturday sampler block. Mom is giving me her blocks and I am going to make a coffee quilt with an awesome coffee border fabric.

It was still kinda early when the block was done so I started on the "o" I was also supposed to have done last month. I know I am really behind but I am catching up; that's in part to FNSI.

I realized while taking the pictures that I didn't get around to showing off the past few months of blocks, so I got them out to show off. I am very proud of my work so far.

August FNSI

2010-08-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

Last night for the FNSI I started a Harry Potter quilt. All the blocks are paper pieced. I am fairly new at paper piecing and not very good. So I couldn't, in good conscience, take a picture of the blocks that I made. I do plan on making them again, at which time I will post their pictures.

I made an Invisibility Cloak block that the colors look pretty good on. You can see Harry's, Ron's, and Hermione's legs. I gave Harry denim, Ron maroon (since he hates it), and Hermione purple (for her being a girl).

I made a Lightning Bolt block. I used yellow fairy frost for the bolt. It was the last block that I made, and it turned out the best. I made it while Matt Hardy and Christian were being beaten in the ring by (I have to say it) Dashing Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre.

I made 2 different blocks of You-Know-Who's (Voldemort) eyes. I like the red that I used, but I cannot decide which green I like better.

I can say that, even though mom and I didn't win any door prizes on the Rocky Mountain Quilt Fever Shop Hop, I did win one of the 1st prizes. I won the Quilt Shop shopping spree. I used some of the money to buy a background fabric for my Harry Potter quilt and I love it very much. Mom got some beads for her HPV quilt and she is very excited. I got Ant Nicci some tea towels to machine embroider on for herself.

Isn't that something? Mom and I are going to have some fun!

Shop Hop Fever

2010-08-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of the annual Rocky Mountain Quilt Fever Shop Hop 2010. Accompanying us this year was none other than mom's dragon, Singe. He was given to her by the m&m's (her oldest grandson and granddaughter, and her youngest granddaughter) for Mother's Day this year.

I think next year we will bring a quieter companion. Singe talked throughout the whole trip in a voice that was uncannily like Sean Connery.

Singe wanted to have LuLu's MoMo showing for his photo op.

Our first stop was High Prairie Quilts. This was almost our last stop, as well. There was far too much pushing and shoving. I, being in a hurry this morning, forgot to eat anything. I was very short on patience and got on my mom's nerves far too quickly, since she was also upset with some of the other shop hoppers. Singe was not in a good mood, either, when we got back to the car.

Our second stop was Holly's Quilt Cabin. This was a much better experience. We bought some things and really enjoyed ourselves. I bought a peppermint tape measure. We came back to a car with fogged up windows. We had left Singe some water to drink.

We took the time to have lunch at a place we haven't been in a long time, Blimpies. I don't know if the food was better years ago, but it wasn't that good this time. I received a shock as I watched them warm up my meatballs in a GladWare container in a microwave. Singe smelled our sandwiches and, instead of drooling, he had steam coming out of his mouth. He did threaten to toast our subs for us. We told him no. He is still a baby and can't control himself very well.

The third shop was The Creative Needle. Here we saw a very interesting way to work with this year's shop hop fabric.

The fourth stop was Fabric Expressions. I found some very nice charm packs here. We had still not won a door prize at this point.

The fifth stop was The Great American Quilt Factory. This store always has some very cool quilts on the walls and interesting project ideas.

The sixth stop was Harriet's Treadle Arts. Here we bought some quilt cards that we wanted to add to our collection.

The seventh and final stop was Tomorrows Heirlooms. Mom bought a kit and some buttons. I bought some Christmas pins. Singe was not a happy camper. It had started to rain and there was thunder and lightning. He quivered in his car seat and refused to go outside.

We also made an extra stop at The Quilt Store. I got a pattern and some of the fabrics that go along with it. The storm was getting worse, so Singe insisted on coming in with us. He dug his claws into my side.

We had to deal with many complaints as to why Singe couldn't accompany us into the stores. How do you tell a stuffed animal that he is not alive and would be a burden? Not an easy thing to do. When we got home, Singe decided he had too much energy and he jumped in the Jumper.

All in all, a very good day.

What a Night!!!

2010-07-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

My FNSI was not all that it was cracked up to be. I didn't get done what I hoped to get done. I had no idea what I was getting into.

My Aunt Nicci went through her projects recently and brought over a kit my mom had bought for her years ago ya know - back when rocks were soft and mist was in the air. Nicci said she would never stitch it, and she hoped mom might be able to exchange it for something else. I knew this project. It happens to be hanging on our living room wall.

My mom is so talented!!!

Unfortunately, the finished one is destined to go to live with my sister the Glamazon someday. So I decided in my infinite wisdom that I would make it for myself to go along with the stitched masterpiece my mom is leaving to me.

WHAT A MESS!!!

I thought, "FNSI - alright - I'll listen to Harry Potter, crack this baby open and get started!" Bum-Bum-Bum "OH MY!!! There is so much floss. And they all appear to be the same color!!!" I spent all night separating my floss and didn't ever get to poke my needle through my fabric. Wah!!!

When I finally got up this morning okay mom - this afternoon I spent an hour and a half separating my floss the right way since I messed them all up last night using the wrong light. Guess mom was right again about needing direct sunlight and a white piece of paper as a backdrop.

The Pursuit of Happiness!!!

2010-07-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

Lulu and I wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July.

Like Auntia, like Niece!!!

Whodunit?

2010-06-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

I did participate in the FNSI. I worked on my J and K.

I also worked on my confetti pineapple quilt. I got the kit a couple years ago. I fell in love with it. It looked like a big bowl of Sherbet. I waited until I could make the blocks with out noticeable mistakes.

So far so good!

As for who took out The Undertaker a couple of weeks ago I still don't know. Although from what I heard and saw on Smackdown last night the Whodunit will be revealed by Kane on Sunday at Fatal 4 Way. THERE WILL BE VENGEANCE!!!

Just another FNSI and a lot of fun and entertainment.

P.S. Mom was so excited about her Buffalo that she came in and watched wrestling for a bit. She has her own opinion about The All American American Jack Swagger.

A round of uh... uh... PAWS

2010-05-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

Last night was FNSI and I got to work on my paper pieced BOM. I made the Bear Paw last night and it was like I was in a fight with a real BEAR. But I sucked it up, stitched up my battle wounds and made it through. So here it is:

Hi!!!!

I got the small part of the other block done too. There would have been more, but my battle scars from the Bear Paw were not fully healed and my ego was bruised by my FOUR attempts to get the SMALL piece together.

LuLu wanted to say HI as well.

E, F and G FNSI

2010-04-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

So last night I worked on my effing F. It took me all night and I didn't get to start on my effing G. I am using the colorful language that my mother could have sworn I said. It's obvious that she doesn't hear anything I say. Just kidding. She is captivated by my every word, just waiting to laugh her butt off at my unintentional stupidity. For example, when I was searching for fat quarters for my Egyptian quilt, I held one up and asked her if it was too African to be Egyptian. Her reply was, "Melissa, Egypt is in Africa."

Yes, that is a new Mary Engelbreit tin. It has a peep hole and I just love it!!! The fabric at the top is candy canes that mom and I found on our OSSH.

Last night we had pizza, bread sticks, freshly baked french bread (eaten on the way home from the grocery store) and McFlurrys from McDonald's. I have to say that there has to be something inside those things because the moment we started eating them we turned goofy. Okay, okay, more goofy than normal. I mentioned this to mom and she said "I don't think that's what they mean by 'Brain Freeze' Melissa." At that time she was not under its influence. When she did start slurping her McFlurry, she was giggling so much that she got it all over her clothes. She started out with one spot; I turned around and she had five new spots.

Twisted Peppermint!!!

2010-03-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

This months Friday Night Sew In was the best I have had yet.

Corned Beef, potatoes, BEER BREAD, and wrestling all in one night would be splendid. If you add working on my peppermint quilt it made my night perfect.

I have blogged about my paper pieced BOM before, but I only decided this week to embroider blocks to make the quilt bigger. I am making the alphabet into candy canes.

Mom found the perfect tin to put my work in. Isn't it just the cutest thing?

The food was great (Thank you mom you are the greatest ever) and the wrestling was pure entertainment, good guys won some and the good guys lost some, all in all a picture perfect night.

Jocelyn: "Better a silly girl with a flower than a silly boy with a horse and a stick."
Wat: "It's called a 'Lance.' Hello?" A Knights Tale

Oh No She Didunt!!!

2010-03-09T06:52:00.000-08:00

Mom and I went to our BOM meeting on Saturday morning. She was so excited because we were going to my Ant Nicci's house after and giving my Uncle his quilt. She spent ALL morning taking pictures and we were running really late.

I forgot my special breakfast, Boston cream pie Toaster Streudels, and got real hungry during the meeting. I had asked mom to remind me that we had the Toaster Streudels the night before and she said, "Oh of course I will. You can count on me." HA!!!

I went out to the car to eat a cookie while mom made our purchases, with MY stash card. While I was out there I decided to be the perfect daughter and bring her the cookies. I should also mention that I was wearing my very nice and loud boots.

I walked in to the quilt shop and I hear her talking in the voice that she uses when she is mimicking me saying, "I'm hungry." and started talking bad about my boots. I couldn't believe that my own mother would betray me that way behind my back.

All this time she can hear me walking but didn't put the sound together with it being me. So I walked around to her other side, while all the other people in line and behind the counter are laughing and watching me. I sit down in a chair next to her with my pout face on and said "And here I brought cookies."

She turns and looks at me and laughs, along with everyone else and goes bright red. Not nearly as red as I was already but red. I will say this, I got the bigger laugh in the end.

I made her feel so guilty that she took me to Carl's Jr, I paid of course, so that I could eat something. She got me an extra order of hash browns too, so I felt much better.

The Saturday before, we went to see my Ant Nicci, I gave her an ant I bought at Hancock fabrics. It was a thank you for the book mark that she made for my mom that I confiscated and made my own and for the towel that she actually made for me.

"Operation 'This Will Most Likely End Badly' is a go." Lt. Colonel John Sheppard Stargate Atlantis

Bite Me...

2010-02-20T16:38:00.000-08:00

I joined in on the Friday Night Sew in again last night. This is what I got accomplished. I finished reading The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. I can safely say that I know who Jason Bourne is.

I have already given the quilt a name and made all the accouterments match the theme - even the spiral note book has polar bears, which are from the north pole where the elves make all the candy canes.

I got my paper pieced block of the month blocks done. I changed out one of the fabrics because it had ladybugs on it. Now if I liked ladybugs it would be really cute fabric. But ever since I got bitten by one last summer (I swear I was minding my own business, I don't know what I did to upset it) I haven't been able to see a lady bug without cringing and scratching my leg where the HUGE red welt was. So I found some very nice XO fabric to put in its place.

I even got my other block of the month block done. Here are all the blocks so far. I don't really like this quilt at all. None of the blocks are going together like they should. I love all the fabrics and, in theory, they should look good together - but they really don't.

I also worked on my sherry berry quilt and finished the blocks. Now I can put them together.

"What about Jack? I can't leave without him!"
[sees Jack getting chased by cannibals]
"Time to go." Will Turner Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

My Friday Night Delight...

2010-01-16T12:05:00.001-08:00

I settled in last night working on three projects. My two wrestling quilts and my little Sherry Berry Christmas quilt. I had the wrestling quilts pieced already, but I needed to get the backs ready. I bought a WWE sheet set and decided to use the fitted sheet as borders and binding for my quilts and use the other sheet as the backing for the big quilt. I decided I would take the pillow cases apart and use them as the backing for the mini wrestling quilt. So last night was spent ripping out seams and pressing them open so that when I finally get around to quilting them, they will be completely ready.

I did all of that watching while WWE Smackdown last night. Last night was not the Friday Night Delight John Morrison's night. He lost his match to Y2J Chris Jericho do to interference by Scotland's own Drew McIntyre.

I took a small break to drink some peppermint coffee and eat sugared kettle corn. While I was doing this, CM Punk SAVED a member the of the WWE Universe by converting him to the Straight Edge life style. To symbolize his rebirth (if you will) they shaved his head. Yeah, great stuff. Right. The highlight of the wrestling night, seeing my beloved Matt Hardy team up with The Great Khali. They didn't win the fatal four way tag team match for a shot at the Undisputed Tag Team titles, held by the ever so deserving DX, but is was still fun to see them tag together.

I was asked to explain my wrestling quilt. Well it is a Smackdown vs. Raw. Smackdown colors are Blue and White. Raw colors are Red and Black. I was very picky about some of the fabric in the quilt. I have chili peppers on red to represent the late great Eddie Guerrero. I also have low rider fabric for him and his nephew Chavo as well. There is animal print for the Animal Batista and food fabric for all the poop and throw up gags that they do every so often. There is also star fabric to represent Edge.

After I finished the seam ripping and the pressing for the backs of the wrestling quilts, Smackdown was not over soooo I decided to work on my little Sherry Berry Christmas quilt. I finished the blocks I had started, and started cutting the fabric for the rest of the blocks. By the time all the cutting was done I was almost through with an episode of Criminal Minds. I laid out the blocks, and then the second episode of Criminal Minds was over and so was my Friday Night Sew In.

Elizabeth: "Yes, the rum is gone."
Jack: "Why is the rum gone?"
Elizabeth: One, because it is a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into complete scoundrels. Two, that signal is over a thousand feet high. The entire royal navy is out looking for me. Do you really think that there is even the slightest chance that they won't see it?
Jack: "But why is the rum gone?" Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of the Black Pearl.

I'm Sew In...

2010-01-14T15:21:00.000-08:00

I will be participating in the Friday Night Sew-In for the New Year. I plan to work on my wrestling quilts while watching The Friday Night Delight, John Morrison and many others wrestling on WWE Smackdown.

Busy! Busy! Busy!

2010-01-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

The week of Christmas was a hectic one. I took the time to document it since I was told (before Christmas) by sources that will remain anonymous that is was "Freakin' Christmas!" update your blog. So here is an update on my Christmas week.

This is the wall hanging that my mom and I started in June. We each made 2 blocks. This is our first attempt at hand applique. I plan to quilt strawberries in the border and a thistle in the center square.

I bake cookies every year for Christmas. This year I made 90 oatmeal cookies. They were so very good it was to bad that I had to share.

I had to make sugar cookies that looked like peppermints. HAD TO! They weren't bad to make but when it came time to frost them the White frosting had very strong objections. That's why there is very little white. I even dressed up like a peppermint.

I always make green Christmas tree cookies. I know my BroBro so well that I even made him an entire cookie sheet of extra crispy trees because that is how he likes all his cookies.

My favorite cookie that I make are chocolate haystacks. They are a lot of work because you have to have everything ready to go or your cookies are ruined. I love them. I don't always get around to making them but I made sure I did this year.

K'tano "I see you are one who speaks your mind, O'Neill"
O'Neill "Yes, which is why I don't say much." Stargate SG-1

Show Me A Good Time...

2010-01-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

Shortly (for those who know me no pun intended) after BroBro's birthday I made his extra special specific birthday cake. He told me, "I want a checkerboard cake with Bronco colors with cream cheese frosting (not colored). So being the coolest sister that am, I obliged his picky tastes.

He came over and decided that it was time to take his car home. Well guess who had to steer the car that doesn't start. That's right me. The one person who doesn't drive or have a license. I heard a lot of, "turn the car left. No the other left. Okay straighten out." Did I mention the BroBro's car is not an automatic. Yeah can you picture it, me trying to figure out how to get the car in the right gear. The cake was good and well earned by the end and Bro Bro truly did show me a good time.

"Bumblebee, stop lubricating on the human!" Optimus Prim Transformers

Ohhh SCARY!!!

2009-11-05T12:52:00.000-08:00

Okay! Okay! Soooo my Halloween wasn't in the least bit scary. Here are all the creepy, crawly, nasty, and disturbing details...

I got to see all my kids in their Halloween costumes. Little Bit came over and I put her in the Bumblebee costume I bought for her. My sister, The Glamazon, got her a Ladybug outfit (shudder) but ever since I was bitten by one (a ladybug) they give me the creeps ( I am not lying - the welt it left was huge). I couldn't stand seeing her as one.

Like Auntia Like Niece

Pieces and Dallas came over Halloween evening. Pieces is as captivated by Bumblebee (the Transformer) as much as I am. Isn't she just adorable?! Dallas was Spiderman and was very convincing about it.

NoJo was a Swamp Doctor. He is just too darn cute to look scary. Jyliebean was a pink horse. With her recently lost front tooth she looks just as sweet as sweet can be.

I donned on my Star Trek outfit and had some fun handing out candy. The cutest little kitty cat came to my door wearing cat ears over a pink and black striped beanie. I couldn't convince mom to wear her Star Trek shirt. Hers is the Science officers' and mine is the Command officers'.

"We came in one piece and we expect to leave in one ... piece." Jack O'Neill Stargate SG-1

My BroBro

2009-08-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

Today is BroBro's 27th birthday and, though he may never read this, I still want to wish him a very happy birthday.

I will be taking a birthday cake to him later this week. He asked me several months ago to bake him a checkerboard cake. I have the pans, I just need the will to bake. I keep asking myself do I really like him that much?

Of course I do!!!

Oh Goodies!!!

2009-08-13T08:22:00.001-07:00

This is a picture of the fat quarters, charm, and pattern that I got on the Rocky Mountain Fever Quilt Shop Hop 2009. There were 4 mountain patterns, fall, spring. summer, and winter. Mom and I decided on fall. It was just to pretty to leave behind. My next favorite was the winter mountain pattern.

This is the fabric that I bought for my Snowman quilt that I have started. You can see that the batiks are the perfect color not only for the snowflake flannel but for the colors I chose for my Snowman quilt. I started Winter Wonderland the last week of June. I have finished 2 blocks, one I finished twice because I wanted to change a color. I decide to learn how to embroider on this pattern and work on it while my mom works on her Hocuspocusville.

"I like that guy. He says 'Okey-dokey.'"
"Looks like mister Okey-dokey is okey-dokey." Dean Winchester Supernatural

Quilt Shop Hop Day 2

2009-08-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

Day 2 of the Rocky Mountain Fever Quilt Shop Hop started out at The Quilter's Studio. They weren't a part of the shop hop, but we were there at the crack of dawn for our Saturday Sampler meeting. Boxy and Mingo became fast friends and were extremely hard to separate when we had to leave.

Yes, that is me holding Boxy. He isn't too steady on his feet that early in the morning.

The first real shop we visited on Day 2 was Fabric Expressions. Boxy is as much of a ham as his owner, NoJo. The shop was not nearly as stressful inside as it was to find. I was, unfortunately, the navigator on the trip. I can't follow a map to save my life. We ended up on a road out of no where. I still don't know how it happened. We made it, eventually, safe and sound. I bought a charm pack and a blue batik to go with my Snowman embroidery quilt that I am stitching.

It was someone's birthday and there was cake there. It looked quite good.

The next stop was The Creative Needle. This was not nearly as hard to find as Fabric Expressions. Their shop hop quilt was by far the best. It was also the most cramped shop. I bought a purple batik to go with my Snowman embroidery quilt. Mom got a fat quarter of the specialty fabric.

You can imagine the looks I got carrying Boxy through the shop, but neither one of us really cared.

The next stop was Holly's Quilt Cabin. This is a shop that both my mom and I were looking forward to visiting. The fabric here is the exact replica of our personalities and tastes. I got three Christmas fat quarters and a Halloween fat quarter.

Now, the next stop was one we planned to do on Day 3. But since it wasn't yet noon we decided to just suck it up and visit the last two shops, get done, and stitch on Day 3 instead. I hadn't gotten directions to The Great American Quilt Factory from Holly's Quilt Cabin. So we sat in the parking lot and figured it out. We spent a lot of money last year so we went in very wary. We made it out with out spending a dime and we were really proud.

Our last stop of the Rocky Mountain Quilt Fever Shop Hop was High Prairie Quilts. Here again my very lacking skills of following a map or reading street signs failed me. We had to turn around at least twice because I missed the street or read the directions wrong. Here mom found several things to buy. I was excited to receive my pin for finishing the journey.

We were back in our home town by 4 so we decided to go back up to The Patch Works to buy the flannel that I wanted. Boxy had other ideas in mind when he laid his beady eyes on the flannel I was going to buy. He clearly said to mom and I, "It's Mine!!!"

Man, does that turtle have a mean streak.

"General, without meaning, this time, to sound like a smartass, are you cracked?" Jack O'Neill Stargate SG-1

Quilt Shop Hop Day 1

2009-08-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

Every year my mom and I try to go on the Rocky Mountain Fever Quilt Shop Hop. This year we did go. We got in the car to start and I found a stowaway. Boxy is my nephew NoJo's stuffed pet turtle. Well alright we said there is always room for one more on the road. Especially since Boxy doesn't talk or eat ... so he was excellent company.

We made our way through the north shops on Friday. We started at the shop where I first learned how to quilt, Tomorrow's Heirlooms. Boxy was more than excited to join us on our little trip. I could almost hear my nephee-poo on the road with us. "Are we there yet?" "Two more shops?" "Can we get something to eat?" "Do I get to buy anything?" "Do we have to go in there?" Yes he is like all kids. I love him in spite of that.

Next stop was The Patch Works. Boxy enjoyed the scenery out side more than the shop itself. I did find some flannel that I thought might work for my Snowman embroidery quilt that I have started. So I bought a fat quarter to bring home to see. And it's perfect. As it turns out it happens to be at the shop that has the dark green batik that is one of the fabrics specially made for this shop hop. I know where we will be heading up to in a couple weeks.

Our last stop on Day 1 was Harriet's Treadle Arts. Boxy was overwhelmed by the traffic and had to sit down to get his photo taken. I love this shop. It was a bit crowded for my taste but still fun. I bought my grandma a birthday card there. Her birthday is Sunday and I wanted to get her an exceptional card found on our annual journey.

"I think I cracked a rib, too." Jack O'Neill
"Why didn't you say something?" Samantha Carter
"I was afraid you'd try to put a splint on it." Jack O'Neill Stargate SG-1

Half Birthday!!!

2009-07-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

Most of the blogging world knows that my family celebrates half birthdays and today is my mom's half birthday. SO...

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY DEAR DIANNE!

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!

Chirp!!!

2009-07-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

As most of you will know my mom went nuts buying cereal a couple months ago. Well by the time we got down to the bottom of a box the cereal would be stale. So she would spread them in the grass for the birds to munch on.

For some unknown reason birds don't like me at all. When I go out side they dive bomb my head and are down right mean. I have no shame in admitting that I have no love loss for Woodpeckers. Those godawful birds make all my neighbors stand and laugh as I go running out of the house, arms flailing, trying to scare them away from my precious trees.

One day I was walking past the open front door and I heard a racket going on right outside the door. I looked out to see what all the hullabaloo was about. A teeny tiny finch was fleetingly bouncing and pecking at the mat in front of the door. As I stared stupidly at it, it decided to tell me what I was to do.

"Chirp, Chirp" it said sweetly.

My momma didn't raise no dummy. I knew what it wanted and I wasn't going to be fooled. "No! I am not going to give you any food." This bird wasn't going to give up without a fight.

"Chirp, Chirp" it said sweetly again.

"No! I said I'm not going to feed you!" Realizing I wouldn't budge, it pulled off a remarkable hop-turn, giving me a clear view of its butt and giving me a piece of its mind.

"CHIRP!!!"

At that moment I realized that I had just been cussed out by a teeny tiny bird. When mom heard of the altercation she had to sit down she was laughing so hard saying that the birds like her.

This is really a sparrow who was looking for food the other day, whicht reminded me of the finch. Mom took this picture because they fly away or ram the door when they see me.

"The Bird Man took a deep breath and put his hands on his hips. 'I give up. We have been trying all day, and it is the same as when we started. Richard With The Temper,' he announced. 'you are the worst bird caller I have ever seen. A child could learn it in three tries, but there is not enough breath in you for the rest of your life to learn it. It is hopeless. The only thing your whistle says is, 'Come, there is food here.'" Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind

Ain't He Grand!

2009-07-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

I got a wonderful surprise today when The Great One came over to visit. I haven't seen him in over a year and I missed him fiercely. I love hearing his stories. Being my favorite Uncle I have an image of him being very civil. I always have to bite my cheek from laughing every time he says something that I don't expect him to say.

He was talking about taking his daughter's dogs to the groomer and said that all the groomer needs to do is "trim Mac's pooper and she's good." I am no stranger to the word "pooper" but not from The Great One. He let out at least one more mention of Mac's poop and I was giggling.

He made it clear that he was here to see his favorite niece not just his sister.

This is The Great One giving me one of many hugs at my sister's (the Glamazon) wedding last year. He is not a hugger in the least but I am special in that way. He even gave me a nickname , Mill.

"It's called a lance, hello!!!" Wat A Knight's Tale

Quilts Quilts Quilts!!!

2009-06-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have waited to write my first quilt post until I knew exactly what I wanted to say.

these are my BOM's that I have finished. They are no where near as good as my mom's but she has been sewing for Plenty-Sum years. This quilt is going to go to my brother as a house warming present when it is finally finished (who knows when that will be).

These are the blocks that I am making with Celestial fabric for me. I have had a lot of fun picking the different fabrics for the different blocks. I think I am doing pretty good at coming up with numerous color matches for the blocks.

I am very excited to start the new BOM in July because all the blocks will look so diverse that there will be no bad combination.

"So it's a teenage thing? Pimples, rebellion, life sucking?" Lt. Colonel John Sheppard Stargate Atlantis

I dinna ken!

2009-06-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

Most people don't know what my URL stands for. Weel... My mom (of course - who else?) started talking about some books that she reads. This was a loooong time ago and memories fade over time. I finally picked up the almost 900 page book and read it. I fell in love. Outlander became my favorite book. That is ... until I read Dragonfly in Amber. I was captivated by the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. If you care my favorite is Drums of Autumn. I took a picture of the books that I could find in my room and there are only two missing. Mom gave me her copy of Drums of Autumn and bought me my own copy of A Breath of Snow and Ashes. She doesn't like sharing books with me ... she is very protective of all her books... sheesh ... she acts like they are her babies or something. I am the same way about my copies. I don't loan them to anyone!

When I was very small... Ok Ok so I am still very small... When I was let's say much younger my mom took me and BroBro with her to a book store, along with my very own Auntia (whom I call Ant Nicci) and my cousin. I got to meet the author very briefly, but I was a kid and thought that she was as cool as any celebrity (at the time I couldn't have told you her name to save my own soul).

My mom knew that I was hooked on the books, so for my 21st birthday she bought me the coolest ring I have ever seen. It is the ring that Jamie gives Claire after they are married. You can't really tell but it has thistles woven in a highland interlace pattern.

What is even cooler about it is that on the inside it has the message Jamie had inscribed on Claire's ring. "DA MI BASIA MILLE" I love my ring and rarely ever take it off.

I bring all this up for two reasons really. One - the new book in the series, Echo in the Bone, comes out this September and mom has already ordered both of our copies. Two - I decided to write my second informative speech (which I will be giving on Thursday) on the Outlander Series. I recomend this series to anyone who likes adventures and have a great sence of humor.

"You ended that sentence with a preposition. B*st*rd." Colonel Jack O'Neill Stargate SG-1

Adrian!!!

2009-06-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

The other night I was up late on the computer. I share the computer with my mom. She had already gone to bed and I thought that I would give her a special treat when she woke up in the morning.

My mom thinks that Adrian Paul is hot hot hot. We usually have the debate about who is cuter, Adrian Paul or my first love Lorenzo Lamas. Adrian plays the ever so lovable Duncan McLeod on Highlander. Lorenzo plays the extremely good looking Reno Raines on Renegade.

I usually change the desktop wallpaper about once a month, to add variety to our lives (like we really need that right). So I decided I would find a really good picture of Adrian Paul online and make it the wallpaper. I knew she would like just about anything I put on there as long as it wasn't a wrestler. She has been stuck looking at wrestlers for at least a year. ( I have not shown her how to change the wallpaper yet.)

I saw a lot of good photos but I hadn't quite found what I was looking for. I was about to give up. Then I saw this picture and knew it was the one.

Good picture, right? Well, when I got up the next morning I was expecting a grin and a thank you. But what I got was the same reaction I get every other morning. "Good morning Melissa/Auntia (can't remember clearly most likely Auntia)." So I waited about an hour and still nothing. So I decided to ask if she noticed the new wallpaper on the computer. "Oh yeah. Who is that? He doesn't look right." I started laughing. When I started clutching my side she finally asked, "What is so darn funny?" Through gasps for air I told her who it was and she was dismayed. So my treat for her turned into a great treat for me and I had to share it.

Mom, I love you so very much and as long as you are around there will never be a dull moment. So this post is for you with tons of love and sharing.

"I'm Connor McLeod. Same clan different vintage." Connor McLeod Highlander

Oh Boy!

2009-06-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

I have the unfortunate task of giving my first public speech in front of the speech class on Thursday. I had a heck of a time figuring out a topic. So there I am surfing the web trying to find a topic that I can relate to me or localize to the city I live in. Easier said than done let me tell you. All of a sudden a topic literally jumped out at me. "The Day the Music Died." I said to my self, "Self, that is your favorite song and you have a personal tie to that day." Sweet my search was over.

In High school my favorite teacher, Mr. US History (mom you know him as Mr. Albino Raven), told my class about the day he went for a bike ride with his buddies. Their riding along, chillin', and then they see all this hoopla going on at one of their neighbor's fields. There had been a plane crash and they saw four bodies being carried away on stretchers. They found out later that day who it was they saw. They were devastated not only for the loss to the music industry but, my teacher informed me, had they known then they would have braced the cops and taken part of the plane as a souvenir.

Now that my search for a topic was over and done with the real work began. I looked up all I could find on Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. Didn't take me long to get the info I needed on any of them. Man I love this topic. The easiest work I have ever had to do.

All I have left to do now is stand up in front of people I don't know and share what I have learned. I have my fingers crossed I don't run out of the room crying and dry heaving. Just kidding I will stand up there and fumble my way through it. There are no wimps in my family. Tee Hee.

I Love...

2009-06-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

My Jyliebean's birthday is coming up. I can't believe she is turning 6 years old it seems only last month she was graduating from kindergarten. Oh wait she was. I was taking pictures and the kids started to sing and sign a song. After the first picture I realized the camera I was using can also take videos. This is what I was able to capture.

She is the one in the middle row wearing a green shirt. You notice her because she is the bestest looking one of the whole bunch. I am so proud of my little girl. Way to go.

Side note Dallas' birthday was on Wednesday. He turned the big 3. Man they grow up so fast.

"I'm Batman!" Dean Winchester Supernatural

4th Meal

2009-06-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

I came down stairs to get a drink this afternoon and I smelled something so good and very familiar. It was on the tip of my tongue but I couldn't figure it out. I went out to get the mail and came back in and smelled it again. It hit me. What I was smelling was Taco Bell's chicken fiesta bowl. I love those things. They are so good.
But I knew it couldn't be that, so I investigated the smell with my ever so clever nose. Under a bread cloth on the counter was a small crock-pot. I opened it and had a peek inside. Low and behold - it was my mom's famous homemade meatballs cooking in her even more famous homemade spaghetti sauce. Now, this meal will taste nothing like Taco Bell, it will taste even better!

It may look ugly, but in my family we always say the uglier it looks the better it is going to taste when dinner comes.

Although I am stuck with a very large craving for Taco Bell's chicken fiesta bowl. Meh - what can you do?

"I'm your Huckleberry." Doc Holiday Tombstone

Three little birds

2009-05-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

I love my BroBro. He's one of my favorite people on Earth. I was at the store looking through a crochet hat book and saw a hat pattern that (to me) looked like dreadlocks. I tease my BroBro all the time about his hair. He is so nit picky about his hair. I had to make it for him. Easier said than done. I got so frustrated following the instructions I had to have my mom finish the hat so that I could put the dreadlocks on.

I couldn't be sure if it would look right so I brought in an expert test subject to try it on... I think it worked a little too well...

Alas, it was time to give it to him. I didn't want him to think I only make gag gifts for no reason at all... so I made him a cerulean blue scarf to soften the blow. Cerulean blue is his favorite color. I know him way too well.

You can see he liked the scarf...(hint: he is actually wearing it indoors). He laughed at the hat at first. Then he broke it to that if he put it on someone might hurt him. So he stuffed it back in the gift bag. He did promise me that if he ever puts it on he will take a picture for me.

"Bumblebee stop lubricating on the human!" Optimus Prime Transformers

Ah... Nuts!!!

2009-05-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

I got these seed ballz from Lakeside Collection. I figured that if they get half the flowers their picture showed it would be a great deal for their price. When they arrived I picked a place and followed the instructions on how to plant them. I came in side and started reading the inside of the package they came in. It had a disclaimer saying that since the seed ballz looked like nuts they are prone to squirrel theft. I read this to my mom and she started laughing since we have a squirrel that wont leave our yard. So every time I come in from watering my seed ballz I tell my mom "no squirrel theft yet."

Last year I ordered some plants from Brecks. I got the Lion King Dutch Iris, which only one out of ten has decided to live. I got the World Expression Tulip, I have at most four of them out of nine. I got the Superba Butterfly Tulip which out of the eight bulbs that I planted none have come up. I also got the Candycane Sorrel, none of it has come up yet. I am hopeful though that since it is still early in spring that the rest of my bulbs will grow. I may have to channel my inner Merlin and say "Grow... Grow... Grow..." and hope it has the same effect as it does in the movie.

The World Expression Tulips start out with butter colored petals and as the blossom ages it gets whiter.

I also got a bunch of purple tulip bulbs from Breck's. I planted them out side the window where the quilting frame is so that my mom and I would have some pretty flowers to look at as we quilt our quilts. Out of the 20 bulbs I have 12 that have decided to live so far. That is more than I thought I would get since I planted them in the barren waste land in the backyard.

"Life forms. You tiny little life forms. You precious little life forms. Where are you? Do do do do do do do." Data Star Trek Generations.

In a nut shell

2009-05-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

I am a big Eagles fan and I had to title my blog after one of their songs. I picked a song that always brings a smile to my face when I hear it. (Life's been good) I love their new CD as much as their original songs. I had to stop playing the CD because my mom was hearing it in her dreams. My life is a nonstop Eagles concert.