New Jersey

I've just taken my first drive and came back to the hotel empty handed. I will take this as just a test run to see if I could do it!
I wouldn't try it without the GPS as there are so many roads and few places to turn. But at least they have lots of signs and that helps.
I had to stop and get something to eat and so far the choices seem to be McDonalds or Dunkin' so guess where I stopped.

Too much!

 Too much of this:

I am tired of being on the road this summer! I really hate to complain and I'm not really sure I am, but I'm so ready to be home! At least for a couple of weeks until I do this...

At least this will be ALL about me! You knew the selfish side of me had to come out didn't you?  I am going to spend 4 glorious days visiting and sewing with my best quilt friends. I am so not looking forward to the drive, but I am looking forward to the fun.

Right now I am working on this...

Too much fun!

You know I don't mind laundry. But I am so tired of washing, folding then arranging in the suitcase. Which it feels like all I have done this summer. I leave and all of the laundry is complete. Put away, ironed and hung up. I come home and start over. I didn't even get the pleasure of seeing a full closet or drawer.

I'm not even prepared for the retreat. We are going to be making this

Out of this...

I can not wait! I had to make myself work on other projects (when I was at home) and not start playing around with the class project. I did pull some fabrics to see if I needed to go shopping. Of course I did not need to shop. My red stack is probably the smallest stack besides purple, so I was a bit nervous. I don't understand why, but it seems like all of the quilt shops stock the same reds, so I don't have a lot of variety. Or maybe they just aren't making lots of reds? Or maybe it all gets bought up before I get there? Who knows, but I have enough I think.

Karen from Nana Girl Quilts will be teaching the class and I am so excited. She is very talented and has so many great ideas. If you have time go check out her blog.

I MUST GET BUSY! I have tons of work to do and not enough days to get it done. There are changes coming to this house and I want to be prepared! Floors, carpets, window treatments, kitchen appliances! Lots of changes!

Later,

Diane 

Things that make you go Hmmmm

And for those of you who watch what you eat, here is one final thought on nutrition and health. It is the only possible conclusion that can be drawn from so many conflicting nutritional studies:

People in Japan eat very little fat in their diet and they suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
Conversely, people in Mexico eat a lot of fat in their diet, yet they still suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
People in China drink very little red wine and they suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
People in Italy drink a lot of red wine and they also suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
People in Germany drink a lot of beer – and not “lite” beer – and eat plenty of sausages and fats, yet they too suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
So what’s the conclusion? Eat and drink what you like. It isn’t the food, fat or alcohol that will kill you, it’s speaking English.

I stole borrowed this from Carrie Nelson's blog. It makes so much more sense than what I have heard from doctor's or read in Reader's Digest.

Later,
Diane

90%

I have a few bits of appliqué to do and then the borders. I was going to do a pretty involved border, but decided not.
My back is tired. I worked the whole day on the bottom block, then putting it all together.
Later,
Diane

The gathering

This is the original idea, but I wonder if I need to add one more dinosaur to make it more of a twin size? The way it is now will just be a good nap size.
Im also concerned with the Pteranidon on top. I thought it would look better than that, it just looks confusing to me. Does it look anything like a flying dinosaur? If I get a surge of energy I may pull different fabrics and try again.

We'll see,
Diane

Chug, chug, chug

I think I can, I think I can...
Almost half of the blocks are made.

I managed it

     It has been an extremely long three weeks. Both Ray and I were so ready to be home the last day we were rather whiny. We just kept murmuring "Oh I will be so glad to be home.", and "Never again will we be gone this long again." all the while knowing it will probably happen sooner than we think.
      The first week we were in Colorado Springs. It was so blazing hot I nearly melted. Seriously, 105 degrees is just a tad too warm for me. It was cooler in Florida! Oh well we managed to have a pretty good time. Ray was in meetings all day and I ran the roads going to quilt shops, bead stores, book stores, do you see a pattern? I had fun and I paid a pretty penny for it, and I don't regret it!
     We left Colorado Springs just one day ahead of the fires. Some of the roads we drove on and areas we took pictures of thinking how beautiful they were and how fortunate the home owners were to have such a beautiful view are now ashes. How terribly sad.
     A week in Houston dealing with family issues and getting answers about my dad's health and long term care was very draining. If it were not for my friend Linda for taking me shopping and to see her grandsons and one day spent with her and her sweet, beautiful daughter I think I would have screamed. Too many questions, not enough answers. My sister said it right when she commented that Daddy is in a prison and he did nothing wrong.
      I did get to have a long visit with my sisters and my mom. It has been years since I have spent that much time with all three of them at the same time. We really need to work on that.
     The last week we were in Arkansas dealing with my FIL. He has been ill and having lots of lung issues. Add that to his Alzheimer's and you have a hard week. One good thing that happened is Ray took his dad to the doctor and found out he needed oxygen 24/7. After 2 days and 3 nights with it we actually saw an improvement in my FIL. He still gets confused but he was able to talk better, stay focused a little longer and able to walk the 10 feet from his chair to the dining table without being winded.
     We drove back to Houston, spent the next day with MIL and SIL and niece. Had a great time playing and catching up.
     HOME...we finally arrived home and we have spent the last two days like slugs. Very little movement, lots of snoring.

I shall return with things that are more fun and pictures!
Diane