iLove

OK, so maybe I'm not the greatest technologically-gifted woman on the planet. I can manage this blog and send email, but can't seem to update my position at work on Linked In and, apparently, sent an inappropriate gesture last week to one of my friends on Facebook without realizing it. (And, waiting for one of the kids to fix it.) But, this week I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and bought an iPhone. iLove it! It totally pulled me from the depths of my very difficult week and I suddenly have new hope and new joy again. Amazing what a small electronic device can do for a woman. Now if I can just get my contacts (all 1,100 of them) moved over to it; sigh. iLove; it's a good thing.

Snowmen

I am making aprons with hearts and snowmen on them using two pre-printed panels that I bought several years ago. Step one in my 2009 resolution to make all my uncompleted projects. I am zig zagging the edges and they really are cute. It may be past Christmas, but with the cold weather these days, snowmen are still in. Even one of the magazines in my stack (does everyone have a magazine stack or is it just me?) has a whole feature about how to make various themed snowmen. There is even one you can fashion to recline in a lawn chair and give a frosty drink with a little umbrella in it! So, what is it about snowmen? Maybe it's their coal black eyes? Or, maybe as a "woman of a certain age," an icy cool guy is just what I'm searching for when those dreaded hot flashes occur.

Saturdays

Saturdays are good for sleeping in, catching up on magazines - some still have Christmas trees on their covers - going to the post office, getting a haircut and SEWING! Hope I get done with my errands in time to sew a bit before church tonight. Carrie up at her apartment, Ashley has gone to the bookstore to get a book for one of her classes; she started her semester this past week. Dan is fixing the cupboard in Ashley's room because one of the doors fell off. He had coffee this morning at Starbucks with the new growth group guys and really enjoyed it. I'll see Robin for my haircut and all the latest news. Quiet weekend, but - hey - quiet can be good. Take a few moments today to be quiet yourself.

Lazy Weekend

Took a little time off yesterday afternoon to have lunch with Joyce, then we met Nancy to visit the Quilt in a Day store. Their classes were 1/2 off yesterday, but we ended up signing up for a free class. It will be a log cabin class and I am really looking foward to it. I found new Moda fabric that I love and will use that for my lob cabin lessons. I have a log cabin quilt pattern that I want to make for my sister in law, I pulled her name for Christmas 09, so this way I can learn and then make hers. Seeing all the quilts at Quilt in a Day is very inspiring. I came away with new resolutions to finish all my projects! Hmmmm, just put the directions for how to make a headboard on hubby's table - wonder if we could work together on this project? Maybe I should have waited until after he's had his coffee . . . Situation normal: too many things planned and not enough time. But, it is only January and all of 2009 is ahead; I have optimism and isn't that really all you need?

Sneaking Away

The kids and I snuck away for a girls-only overnight in Newport Beach yesterday. Football games dominated the weekend and we thought, "why not?!?" We had a great time and may consider this an annual event for the weekend of the football playoffs. At home, Dan was glued to the TV and Scott came over to watch the Chargers go down in defeat. When I heard they had to play in snowy, cold Pittsburgh, I knew it was over. Pottery Barn was closing their store at Fashion Island and everything was 70% off. I bought a black iron quilt stand for quite a steal. It is placed in Dan's room with my first quilt draped over it and looks quite nice. Now, have to get back to reality - and the first 4 a.m. teleconference with India for 2009. Better get to bed early tonight!

Hump Day

Happy Wednesday! I was just thinking that I only have two more days to work this week and then off for the weekend. I sure got used to those two four-day weekends for Christmas and New Years. Lots to do at work and at home, so the days are flying by. Need to send my thank you cards and want to keep sewing. Check out the link to the left for Bunny Hill Designs - this morning I got my first e-newsletter from Anne Sutton, the designer, and she is sending out FREE Mystery Blocks of the Month for 2009. So every month you can get the next one and by Christmas, you'll have a quilt top constructed. It is mostly applique and called "A Tisket, A Tasket" - check it out! Very cute. The January block has a snowman in a basket and I do love my snowmen.

Out With the Old, in With the New

Carrie has packed up from being home for two weeks and is driving back to her apartment in San Dimas. Ashley has gone to help her boyfriend with his motorcycle that broke down on his way to work this morning. It was used, purchased just last week. Let's hope it isn't anything major. Dan is outside pulling down the Christmas lights. I'm trying to get ready for the day, making a grocery shopping list and planning for the week to come. We had a great holiday with lots of family memories and time spent with friends. Yesterday I taught Carrie how to sew on a button and hem her new pants. Put that in the category of things I should have taught my daughters in high school. Anyway, she has new skills or, at least, good understanding of why the cleaners charges $10 to hem pants! And, I have done my job as a mother. Ah, the pressure . . .

New Year's Day

Happy New Year!

Christmas trees: 2 (bought a 2nd artificial tree during Macy's sale)
Ornaments: too many to count (where are all the boxes?)
Football games: I'm so DONE with football by now!
Holiday candles half burned: 7
Daughters helping put Christmas decor away: 2
Resolutions: 5 and counting (1 is sew a minimum of one hour a day)
New diet cookbooks: 2 (see resolutions, again, sigh)
Quilts to finish: 5 (don't tell Dan!)
Ideas for new quilts: 3 (again, don't tell Dan!)
Sounds of Dan organizing holiday cleanup: priceless!
Hopes for 2009: too many to count!

All the best for a very Happy New Year!