Not your typical truck driver....

This morning on the way to school, a road grader passed by just as we came to the highway. "Nope, not Papa Joe," the girls said. The first thing they do every time we see road equipment is look for Papa Joe. Then, probably since it was 35 degrees out, Bailey asked if road graders have heaters. "Yep," I told her.

Then, I hear Kylee whispering, "Bailey, can girls be truck drivers?" I started laughing and said, "What, Kylee?"

"Well, I just want to drive one of those. Since they have heaters," she said.

How sweet, my little future truck driver!

Spongebob, Really??

A friend sent me this email today, and although I usually delete them without reading, I was pulled in by this one. Take the test if you want, it only takes a minute. You might be surprised, I was!
According to this, I am a Spongebob Squarepants. This is the last character I would have chosen for myself. I can't stand his squeeky voice and annoying behavior, and my kids aren't allowed to watch him. I find the humor on the show too rude and crude for my tastes. I'm probably in the minority on this, since according to Wikipedia Spongebob was nominated for an Emmy. In case you don't know who Spongebob is, read up on him here!

Despite all that, I can definately relate to the desciption. Not so much the ooshy gooshy "everyone loves you" part, because I'm certain there are people who don't love me. But I do try to find the humor in life, and the part about jealous people is something I've tried to live by for years. I've experienced this with coworkers and certain relatives, and I always find I am happier when I just stay away!

So, what cartoon character are you???
*****************************************

Everyone has a personality of a cartoon character. Have you ever asked yourself what cartoon character do you most resemble?

A group of investigators got together and analyzed the personalities of well known and modern cartoon characters. The information that was gathered was made into this test.

Answer all the questions (only 10) with what describes you best, add up all your Points (which are next to the answer that you choose) at the end and look for your results.

Do not cheat by looking at the end of the e-mail before you are done .
Then forward this to all your friends (including the person who sent it to you ) and change the subject of this message to which character is you.

1. Which one of the following describes the perfect date?
a) Candlelight dinner (4 pts.)
b) Fun/Theme Park (2 pts.)
c) Painting in the park (5 pts)
d) Rock concert (1 pt.)
e) Going to the movies (3 pts.)

2. What is your favorite type of music?
a) Rock and Roll (2 pts.)
b) Alternative (1 pt.)
c) Soft Rock (4 pts.)
d) Country (5 pts )
e) Pop (3 pts.)

3. What type of movies do you prefer?
a) Comedy (2 pts.)
b) Horror (1 pt.)
c) Musical (3 pts.)
d) Romance (4 pts.)
e) Documentary (5 pts.)

4. Which one of these occupations would you choose if you only could choose one of these?
a) Waiter (4 pts.)
b) Professional Sports Player (5 pts.)
c) Teacher (3 pts.)
d) Police (2 pts.)
e) Cashier (1 pt)

5 What do you do with your spare time?
a) Exercise (5 pts.)
b) Read (4 pts.)
c) Watch television (2 pts.)
d) Listen to music (1 pt.)
e) Sleep (3 pts.)

6. Which one of the following colors do you like best?
a) Yellow (1 pt.)
b) White (5 pts.)
c) Sky Blue (3 pts.)
d) Dark Blue(2 pts.)
e) Red (4 pts.)

7. What do you prefer to eat?
a) Snow (3 pts.)
b) Pizza (2 pts.)
c) Sushi (1 pt.)
d) Pasta (4 pts.)
e) Salad (5 pts.)

8. What is your favorite holiday ?
a) Halloween (1 pt.)
b) Christmas (3 pts.)
c) New Year (2 pts.)
d) Valentine's Day (4 pts.)
e) Thanksgiving (5 pts.)

9. If you could go to one of these places which one would it be?
a) Paris (4 pts)
b) Spain (5 pts)
c) Las Vegas (1 pt)
d) Hawaii (4 pts)
e) Hollywood (3 pts)

10. Which of the following would you prefer to spend time with?
a) Someone Smart (5 pts.)
b) Someone attractive (2 pts.)
c) Someone who likes to Party (1 pt.)
d) Someone who always has fun (3 pts.)
e) Someone very sentimental (4 pts.)

Now add up your points and find out the answer you have been waiting for! Put your character in the subject line and forward to your friends and back to the person that sent this to you.

Very interesting to see 'who' your friends are!

(10-16 points) You are Garfield:
You are very comfortable, easy going, and you definitely know how to have fun but sometimes you take it to an extreme. You always know what you are doing and you are always in control of your life. Others may not see things as you do, but that
doesn't mean that you always have to do what is right. Try to remember, your happy spirit may hurt you or others.

(17-23 points) You are Snoopy:
You are fun; you are very cool and popular. You always know what's in and you ' re never out of style, you are good at knowing how to satisfy everyone else. You have probably disappeared for a few days more than once but you always come
home with the family values that you learned Being married and having children are important to you, but only after you have had your share of fun times

(24-28 points) You are Elmo:
You have lots of friends and you are also popular, always willing to give advice and help out a person in need. You are very optimistic and you always see the bright side of things. Some good advice: try not to be too much of a dreamer. Dreaming too big could cause many conflicts in your life.

(29-35 points) You are Sponge Bob Square Pants:
You are the classic person that everyone loves. You are the best friend that anyone could ever have and never wants to lose. You never cause harm to anyone and they would never not understand your feelings. Life is a journey, it' s funny and
calm for the most part. Stay away from traitors and jealous people and you will be stress free.

(36-43 points) You are Charlie Brown:
You are tender, you fall in love quickly but you are also very
serious about all relationships. You are a family person. You call your Mom every Sunday. You have many friends and may occasionally forget a few Birthdays. Don't let your passion confuse you with reality.

(44-50 points ) You are Dexter:
You are smart and definitely a thinker... Every situation is fronted with a plan. You have a brilliant mind. You demonstrate very strong family principles. You maintain a stable routine but never ignore a bad situation when it comes.
Try to do less over thinking every once in a while to spice things up a bit with spontaneity!

Help, I'm Drowning!

I took everyday off from the shop this week except for Thursday, with the expectation that I would finally make some headway into that stack of quilts under my machine. I even dared to hope that I might catch a glimpse of the carpet peaking through the mounds of batting and folded quilt tops. But alas, the universe has laughed in my face once again. Ha, Ha, Ha.

I lost track around Wednesday, when it became clear that despite taking time off from the shop, this was going to be one of those weeks that brought in more quilts than went out. That glimpse of carpet? Never going to happen, my friend! It's as if someone sent out a special bullitin, "Hurry, prime quilting time, send your quilts NOW!!! How did they find out I dared to take time off??

Wait, did I really think I was going to get "time off" from the shop? Well, if "time off" means still going in for at least an hour every day, rearranging, reordering, unpacking new shipments and packaging Internet orders, then yeah, I guess I had TONS of time off! That doesn't include the laundry I did NOT catch up on, the dusting that ISN'T done, and the solid coating of mud on my car that I have NOT had time to wash. (Yes, I really thought I'd have EXTRA time this week)

Not only was it a big quilts week, it was a big phone call week. So big, in fact, that Monte quit taking the cell phone to work at the shop with him because he was starting to feel like The Crazy Quilter's secretary. This is especially comical if you know that I normally get less than 1 call/week on my cell.

This afternoon I decided if I didn't start a list of quilts and owners, dates to be done and patterns requested, I was doomed to forget something important. The list is done, and now I am vowing to attempt to complete the quilts in the order in which they were received. Of course, something always comes up, but at least I'm trying, right?

I love what I do, really. Otherwise I wouldn't get what I do get done. Sometimes it would be nice if things just happened slow and steady, instead of in heaps and intermittent rushes. Maybe when all of my kids are moved out things might slow down, but then again, I always seem to find something. (Just ask Monte)

Progress, at last!

Yahoo, I'm almost done with my Classic Tablerunner! I just have to blanket stitch around the flowers in the center, and then it's on to the quilting machine. This is very exciting, since it's been hanging around my kitchen counter, then to the ironing board, then to the quilting machine table, for over a month.

I also finished the hand work on 3 of the blocks for Garden Friends last night as I watched tv. I even made it to bed early, thanks to American Idol dissappointment. I'm losing interest in that show quickly, who can watch 2 hours straight? Not me, that's for sure! Anyways, the Garden Friends blocks are adorable. I'm pledging to go back to the quilting machine tomorrow, but I'm holding a sewing day again Saturday and plan to work on more of Garden Friends then.

The new fabrics should arrive tomorrow, Happily Ever After. I'm sure this will add to my list of projects, but what doesn't these days? I already have projects planned for next Fall and Christmas! Happy quilting until tomorrow!

Fat Cat Flowers

The first booth that caught my eye at Fall 07 Quilt Market had this quilt hanging in the center. It's been in the back of my mind ever since, just waiting for the right time and fabric. Well, the fabric has arrived! I am excited to get started on this quilt as soon as possible. I will be using pieces from Jill Kemp's Twinkle Little Star line, as well as pieces from the Happily Ever After line.
I'm planning a Spring themed booth for a quilt show in April, and hopefully this quilt will be done and will fit right in. Watch for it to be added under Quilt Kits soon!

What Happened to Simple Common Sense?

Things happen every day that seem to defy simple common sense. Where has common sense gone, and how do we get it back? I wish I knew. So, if anyone is listening, please give some real thought to your actions and apply your common sense. Here are some most recent examples:

This morning while I dropped my kids off at school, I watched as a high school student carefully backed his 4x4 Chevy Pickup into a parking space. So what, right? Well, how about the fact that his back yard borders the football field. What ever happened to saving the planet and walking to school??? My children live almost a mile from the school, but you can bet when they are old enough they will do their fair share of walking.

This week's Kindergarten newsletter included 2 reminders for parents. First, the newsletter requested that parents not send kids to school who are coughing uncontrolably, or who have a fever. Is it just me, or is that a no-brainer? It is clear to me why my kids are sick every other week through-out the school year.

If that's not bad enough, the second reminder is still bothering me 2 days after I read it. It said "Please wash your children's winter clothing. The hallway is starting to smell." Wow, it is just WRONG that a reminder is necessary with respect to washing your children's clothing, especially if they are stinking up the entire school. I was so grossed out after reading this, I immediately tossed my kids coats, snow pants, and hats into the washer. I know for a fact they were just washed last week, after my 2 younger kids discovered a mud hole and decided to roll in it. However, just the thought of my kids' clothes hanging in the "smelly" hallway made me feel like washing them again, and again, and again.

Phew, I feel so much better. I just had to get this off my chest. Now, back to quilting!

Things I've Learned From My Kids

Here is some practical advice I've learned over the past year or so:

If you're thinking of moving or building, and think you might save a few by have 2 kids share 1 room, try it for a while. After countless days and nights of giggling, cat fighting, toy stealing, and general insanity, you just might find out you can afford that extra bedroom after all.

Sending your oldest 2 kids to your sisters for a week can be a life saver. They'll have a blast, you'll get more stuff done than you did in the entire past year, and you're sister won't mind because she's only got 1 kid of her own and hasn't been driven completely insane yet. So Jami, what are you doing next summer, say for a week in July???

No matter how tired you are of shoveling snow, you should still remove the 10 foot pile next to your front door. Otherwise, you just might come home to find your kids practicing their balancing skills on the roof.

Save yourself a ton of money and buy 1 Christmas present/kid, plus stocking stuffers. It wouldn't be Christmas without stockings, and 1 toy is all they're going to play with anyways once the cloud of wrapping paper and ribbon clears.

Tomatoes are "Ewwwwwww gross," but diced tomatoes aka "seasoning" are actually pretty good.

Once your youngest is smart enough to say, "No, SHE did it," you might as well give up and send them all to their rooms. You're never going to get the truth anyways.

It doesn't matter what kind or how big of a car you buy. They're still going to find a reason to fight 5 minutes out of the driveway. Invest in a good set of ear plugs instead.

I learn new things every day, so consider this post "to be continued....."