Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my sweet husband, Tommy, and to my Daddy, David.  Love you both!

This was written for Father's Day.  The church my brother, Jeff, pastors was doing a tribute for fathers.  I was asked to write something.  Here's to you Daddy - with LOVE!

Memorable Moments

When Jeff, my brother, called and asked to me to write something about Dad for Father’s Day I said sure. Once I hung up the phone I was thinking I’m not sure what to write. A moment, an event, a memory that would best describe my relationship with my father – how could I choose? I spent the rest of the day, evening, and even a sleepless night remembering and this is what has come to me. There isn’t ONE moment, ONE event, or even ONE memory that could explain, describe or even communicate what is between my Dad and me. I have a few thoughts I would like to share:

• Knowing that my Dad knew a “good thing” when he met my mother and married her

• Taking in his brother in-law’s children, even though he had a young son and infant daughter, and loving them as his own

• Jeff and I sitting in his lap on Christmas Eve and watching the Santa Radar

• Sitting by my bedside one night when I was very sick with the hives (I remember waking up and seeing him there)

• Carrying me from my bed to Mom when I was having a nightmare and talking in my sleep

• Working numerous hours and jobs to support his family (I use to tell my friends that my Dad worked 8 days a week: Sunday – Saturday with a double shift on Saturday)

• Finding me a job when I turned 16 even though I tried to convince him that I didn’t really need to work

• Letting Mom teach me how to drive (was probably a big plus for our father/daughter relationship)

• Being honest and telling me I could have a college education or a car, either way I had to pay for it (I chose the college education!!)

• Believing that I could do or be anything I wanted and never doubting my choices or decisions (at least not out loud)

• Laughing hysterically at his many adventures and misadventures while on the road as a salesman

• Experiencing the love and respect he had for his parents

• Witnessing his dedication to his siblings and standing beside them during their difficult times

• Watching him become more sentimental and emotional after the loss of his parents

• Having him walk me down the aisle to the man who would be just as important in my life and heart as he had been (and still is…)

• Having him tell me the story of my birth at least 50 times over the years

• Knowing he will call me on my birthday and ask me if I feel any older (my response: no that doesn’t usually hit me until mid-year, but I sure do miss my eyesight)

• Memories of him peering through the window of the neo-natal care unit trying to catch a glimpse of his first grandchild, Emily

• Watching him play with Emily and patiently be her customer for a shampoo, haircut, and blow dry (sometimes even had pretend makeup applied)

• Having him rush me to the emergency room when I was pregnant with my second child, Sarah, because my husband was out of town and Mom had to stay with my oldest daughter; being totally out of his comfort zone and having to be my only support during a surgical procedure to help my situation

• Always being the customer for Emily and Sarah when they wanted to play waitress

• Loving his hometown enough to run for political office

• Working at a daycare and being a positive and loving influence to the children he helped care for

• Forgiving me for the hurtful things I’ve said and the hard choices I have had to make through the years.

Through all the good, sad, funny, loving, and bad times, I have NEVER doubted my Dad’s love!! His love for me has truly been the definition of unconditional!

Sweet 16!

If I should smile with sweet surprise

Its just that you've grown up before my very eyes

You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen

Happy birthday sweet sixteen. 

(Neil Sedaka & Howard Greenfield)

Happy 16th birthday Emily!!

Coming Attraction

Next year will be a major milestone in my life and marriage....20 years of wedded bliss.  SO....what gift do you give the man who never wants anything for birthdays, Christmas, Father's Day and anniversaries????? 

A QUILT!!!!

Let the project begin!!  I searched all my quilting magazines and found the perfect pattern for him, contemporary and fresh.  Recently I bought the fabric and have it pictured here.  I will keep you updated on my progress.....480 days (1 year, 3 months & 23 days) until the big day.

The colors are gray, black and the red will give it a pop of color.  Should be an interesting quilt!!

Sneak Peek

I thought I would give you a sneak peek of the unfinished projects I'm working diligently to complete and the one new project I've been sewing. 

First is the Angel quilt I started about 5 years ago.  It is a log cabin pattern called Courthouse Steps, machine pieced and hand quilted.  Of course, it was made in a Quilt in a Day Workshop with my friend, Charlotte.  (Do you notice a trend here?? )  I have a little quilting left to complete and then it will be ready for binding. 

I'm not sure who will be the recipient of this quilt. I have considered selling it, but I'm positive I could part with it in that manner.  There are a couple of special people that have been influential in my life and this quilt would make a wonderful gift for either one of them. 

Closeup of one of the Angels

ON SECOND THOUGHT, if you truly like this quilt, I might be tempted to part with it if the price was right! :) :) :)

The second "unfinished" project is only 1 1/2 years old.  It is a Cathedral Window pattern and was created during a Quilt in a Day Workshop.  The goal of this workshop was to show the technique of  machine piecing this pattern (typically hand pieced).  Wanda, our instructor, chose to have us make a wall-hanging size in hopes that we wouldn't become frustrated and not finish the project.

Well....meet Ms. Frustrated!!   I didn't like the original centers for the window, so I put it away....for 1 1/2 years!!  Recently I had some early 1900's reproduction  material left over from another unfinished project and I chose to use this fabric for the window centers.  I'm much happpier with the result.

Once completed, this wall hanging will go to the Read To Succeed office at the Lon Nuell Family Literacy Center for Shelly and me to enjoy!!

The third sneak peak and only NEW project was a gift from my co-worker and fellow quilting friend, Shelly.  Shelly was able to attend the Paducah Quilt Show in April and was thoughtful and bought me a kit to make a table runner.  I have the runner 90% pieced.  I still need to add the borders. This project will not be able to go into the unfinished projetct pile....Shelly will make sure of it!!

Will look pretty on my kitchen table this fall!  Should be completed by then!  :)

Okay, that is it for my current projects.  Why so many projects at one time you ask?  Well they are all different based on what needs to be done and in size.  So depending on my timeframe, location, etc.  determines which project I will choose to work on!! 

Quilts, Quilts, and More Quilts

Here are a few of the quilts/quilt tops I have made over the years.  There are others and maybe I can find pictures of them someday soon.

This quilt was made for my youngest daughter, Sarah.  My friend, Charlotte, and I machine pieced this at a Quilt in a Day Workshop.  The pattern is Rail Fence.  I hand quilted it.

This is also the Rail Fence pattern and was made for my oldest daughter, Emily.  I machine pieced this on on my own and hand quilted.

I made this quilt in a Quilt in a Day Workshop with my friend, Charlotte.  The pattern is log cabin and was made for Tommy and myself.  My quilting mentor and friend, Mrs. Culbreath, quilted it for me.

I started this quilt for my niece, Delaney, before she was born.  I didn't actually finish it until she was around two years old.  I gave it to her one Christmas.  It is the Irish Chain pattern and I paid someone to machine quilt it for me.

This is a Stripey Snuggle Quilt I made for Connor, Tommy's second cousin.  I saw the pattern on HGTV Simply Quilts show and thought I could this pretty quickly!  Unfortunately nothing is ever quick with me.  I did finally get it done and delivered to its new owner.  I have since made two more quilt tops using this same stripe piecing for Connor's cousins, Meghan and Ashlyn.  I'm ashamed to admit that neither tops have been quilted yet.  They are on my list for this year though!!

This quilt is not displaying right but you get the idea.  I made this quilt for Connor's new baby sister, Olivia.  I finally mailed it last week and Olivia should have gotten it before she turned eight months old on May 28th.  See....I told you I'm not very timely but they all will eventually get completed!  :)

This wallhanging was started in October 2008 at a class for Quilt as You Go!  I just finished it this month - May 2010.  I'm on a quest to finish my many unfinished projects.  This wall hanging is waiting to be hung in a place of honor somewhere in our home!!

Okay, another Quilt in a Day project.  This pattern is the Eight Point Star.  Charlotte and I worked on this one together too.  I have not quilted it yet.  I'm seriously considering taking off the outside border.  After studying it for many years, I'm thinking there is way too much blue.  This wall hanging was made to hang over my couch in the living room and someday it may actually hang there!  :)

The Next Generation of Showers

A few weeks ago our family celebrated my second cousin, Jennifer's, upcoming wedding. Family gathered at my house for a bridal shower. It is so strange to see the next generation carrying on. This will be a first of many showers that will be held for my cousin's children, my brother's daughter and my own daughters. Emily told me that she thought I was too old to be doing the showers. I laughed and told her that it was my time to be doing them. Thanks to my co-hostesses: Mom, Lori, Judie and Heather! :)

The food....yummy!!

Guests.....

more guests....

even more guests.

One of the prizes was a pizza cutter. Jennifer was thrilled to get this one item. Ever since she had moved into her new home, she had been without a pizza cutter.

This quilt was made by Jennifer's future mother in-law. This is her first quilt. She did a great job!! It is all of Jennifer's favorite colors.

Giving Hugs - Jennifer has always been great about giving thank you hugs!!

Last Competition of 2009-2010

Today the girls competed for the last time with their 2009-2010 Elite Energy Allstars Squads. Before leaving they wanted to take some pictures. I thought I would share them with you.

Sarah & Emily

Joking around!

Their dramatic shot - walking away!

I guess this signifies the end of the season.

They will continue tumbling through April with tryouts for returning athletes the 23rd. The first part of May, tryouts for the public will take place and new teams will be created. I will miss some of the parents and athletes that won't be returning next season. For those that made school squads, I wish you well. I hope to see all my cheer friends around the 'Boro sometime!!

Go Elite!