I'm Back

Just got back last night from J&J's graduation and will post about that later today (I hope) but in the meantime ~ Here is the picture I couldn't show you before..
I made these placemats for Angie's mom, Judy. On the weekend of Angie's birthday Judy and some of her friends along with some of Angie's friends will be going up to a cabin Judy rented in Pigeon Forge to celebrate Angie's birthday together. These placemats will be used for her birthday dinner after which each of the guests will get to take their placemat home. Angie was crazy about frogs and I had this fabric in my stash ~ most likely because of her. Whenever I see froggie fabric (or froggie anything for that matter) I always think of her and would pick some up so I could make her something with it. I had actually used this to make her a few things that I posted about back in January. She was fun to make stuff for and always appreciated it. I believe her friends Kyle & Kelli have these now. I still pick up cute froggie fabric when I see it ~ guess some habits are too strong to break. I still miss Angie every day and I'm sure I always will but in some ways she is with me every day. Every time I see her son smile or look at her picture up on our wall or see a cute little frog. I hear certain songs and she is right there with me ~ or smell her perfume (it's one of the Victoria Secret perfumes). There is not a day that goes by that we don't talk about her ~ but she was always a part of our everyday even though we didn't get to see her as much as we would have liked. Each time Nathaniel does something new or cute I always think "I wish Angie was here to see this" and I do believe she really is. Ya know she was one of the main reasons I started this blog ~ so she could see the kids and know what they (and we) were up to on a regular basis... and she did read it, every day. I still have all her comments and her emails and a big place in my heart for her. This is the from the last visit we had from her and my greatest wish is that we could have had many many more. Maybe someday I won't cry when I think of her ~ unfortunately today is not that day.....

I'm on my way

I have my first meeting tonight at the quilt shop that I will start work at in just over a week. I'm really looking forward to it. Right after the meeting I leave for Jacksonville (yes again). I will spend the night there and then tomorrow J&J and I will leave for Tuscaloosa for their graduation ceremony. Rich is staying home with the kids so it'll be a mini vacation for me. I finally finished Jen's purse Her dress is green and she wanted something fun and funky. We went through tons of fabric before the lightbulb came on and I pulled out this one ~ She loved it and said it's just what she had in mind ~ phew!
I also made this last night to wear with my new dress for her graduation I also made a bracelet and earrings which I haven't gotten a picture of yet. Well I better go pack so I'm ready to go .. BTW I set this to post after I see Jen so she can't see her purse until I get there. Be back in a couple of days with stories from Alabama!

It's fashion week here

We've done a little bit of shopping for school clothes here and with that always comes the fashion show from Julz. This one is her favorite so far (mine too) Don't I wish I could look this good in everything! And then there is her perfect tan!
She's especially happy with her new shoes
All this from Target at a minimum cost... And yes, we got Nate new clothes too but he's not likely to model them anytime soon so you'll have to wait till he actually wears them and I can snap a pic or two.

A Day in Jacksonville

So, on Sunday we went up to Jacksonville to reclaim our two youngest kids ~ who really wanted to stay forever with their big sister and brother in law who are much much cooler than mom and dad. I can't say I blame them... J&J took them bowling and to a baseball game, out to eat at Jacksonville's hot spot "The Landing", played endless video games and board games with them. I even heard charades was involved. And they were only there for 2 days!
The last time I saw J&J's apt was when we moved them in and they had not gotten their new living room furniture yet. I have to say, I was highly impressed with how nicely and quickly Jen got their apt together. It looks great. Shortly after getting there, we were all hungry so we jumped back in the CR-V and headed to downtown Jacksonville ~ to The Landing. It was a relatively quiet Sunday there but I can see how it would be hopping on a Friday or Saturday night. It's right on the river and lots of restaurants, bars & shops. We ate at Mongo's. It's one of those places where you fill your bowl with raw meats & veggies, throw in your own spices and oils and bring it over to the chef to cook for you. There was lots to choose from and other than the fact it was a bit too warm in the place, it was a good lunch. Afterwards we took a nice boat ride around the area got some nice cool drinks
Goofed around Is that anyway for a son in law to treat his father in law?

Listened to a very good local band in the plaza
We really enjoyed Jacksonville And look forward to our next visit.

My best customer

Jen came down to see me last week and when she left she took Nathaniel & Julianne with her. Jen just posted about it on her blog and it looks like they had a great time and kept them on the go 24/7. Me, I loafed. Well I loafed part of the time. I did make a couple of things for Jen. This is to carry all her papers she will have to grade now that she will be student teaching at University of Fla Apparently she's already had people running her down asking where she got it. It makes me happy that she's proud to say "My mom made it for me." She's asked me if I'd consider selling them and I thought about it but I'd have to sell them for a lot of $$ to make it worth my while. Anyway.. I also made her this as a cozy for her new laptop. Don't know what I was thinking though cause it came out about and inch too small so hopefully I have enough of the fabric she picked out to make her a larger one.
She's also placed an order for a new purse for her dress that she's wearing for her graduation (Masters degree from Univ of Alabama) next week. Guess I really should be doing that instead of this... But hey, what's the last minute for if not for getting done what you should have all along!

Did I ever tell you about the time....

Did I ever tell you about the time my "little" Jennifer killed an old lady? This story takes place many many years ago. I guess Jen was about 8 at the time. We were invited to eat dinner at my mother-in-law's house along with Richard, his aunt (who was probably in her late 70's at the time) and one of his aunt's friends named Claire. Now Jen has always had problems sitting in chairs. She was never a figitty child but more times than not ~ she'd be sitting there, quietly eating, and then she'd be gone ~ on the floor. She doesn't do that anymore although she still has trouble walking! Anyway... my darling mother in law made the mistake of having Jen sitting on a chair that doubles as a stool ~ you know the kind that the "seat" flips over and it becomes a step stool? Well, Jen was sitting, quietly eating her dinner and BAM! She flies over the chair and in the process KICKS poor Claire square in the face. We all recover and dinner goes on as planned. No harm, no foul, right? About 6 months pass and my mother in law calls with some sad news... Aunt Florences' friend Claire has passed away. I actually don't remember what she died from ~ an illness of some sort I'm sure.... anyway... Jen, hearing me give condolences to my mother in law, asks what happened and here's what came out...scarring her for life....
You remember Claire, the old woman that you kicked in the face? Well NOW SHE'S DEAD!
There was a moment when Jen was horrified and believe me, I've brought it up many many times over the years.. the poor old woman that Jen kicked in the face and then she died. The end!

Sadie made a new friend

Yesterday, while we were in the pool we spotted this little guy just outside the pool cage.
It took a while for Sadie to notice it and she really didn't go nuts ~ just sat and watched this strange little creature.
Even when she did make some noise, the armadillo didn't seem at all alarmed and just went about it's business. I know most people don't like them, but they've never done anything to me and I really think they are kinda cute.
Sorry about how "grainy" the pics are but Richard took them through the pool screen.