My How the Time Flies

This evening Kylee and I spent some time digging through the "too small clothes." The "too small clothes" are a group of Rubbermaid totes filled with clothes Bailey has outgrown. I have always saved them to pass down to Kylee. It has been a very long time since we've gone through them, and I'm happy to say I don't need to buy Kylee anything for school this Fall!
Digging through those clothes is like digging through memories. So many of those clothes make me recall specific days, or just how Bailey looked before she got nearly as tall as me, with bigger feet. The jean skirt I can still remember her wearing the first week of second grade, the dress she wore in class pictures, so many memories! It has me feeling a bit nostalgic. But.......some memories are better left in the past.
Why, oh why, didn't I get rid of that coat? I guess because it's in brand new shape and I hate to waste things. The coat is extra big, super duper puffy, and bright yellow. Not a nice yellow, but raincoat yellow. It's the one time I ever asked Monte to buy clothes for the kids by himself. The cold weather was upon us, Bailey needed a Winter coat, and I was home sick with the stomach flu. The result is this monstrosity of a coat that only a father could love.
Who buys such a coat for a girl, anyways? My husband, I guess. I didn't say anything, didn't return it to the store, because then, how could I ever ask him to pick up anything for me again? And now, since I'm too frugal to toss it, I get to re-live it all over again this year. Probably, since it looks like a boy coat anyways, I'll end up saving it for Will to wear, and I'll get to savour it for another year soon. Then, just to be sure I spread the joy as far as possible, I'll pass it on to my nephew for my sister to cherish. At least, for one year, we'll be able to spot our kids in the crowd!

Book Reviews & Shopping for a Good Read

I think I broke my sewing machine. Remember that class I took in Walla Walla in June? Well......if sewing machines were kids, mine would be in foster care right now. I forgot my machine was in the trunk, unpackaged with no suit cases to wedge it in place, and it allegedly tipped over when I hit the gas. Whoops......yeah, I'm a horrible sewing machine parent.

What's that have to do with book shopping? Well, my upright thread holder is broken, (at least I hope that's all it is) I can't sew, and I'm at the shop all day with no back up sewing machine. I'm not in the mood to finish cutting mystery blocks yet, so I've been browsing books on Amazon, looking for my next good read.

The last book I read (not counting re-reading From a Buick 8, which was just as good the second time) was The Pillars of the Earth. This was also an excellent book, with many underlying, thought provoking themes.

Before that, my most recent read was The Ruins. I love a good scary story, and this was one for sure! I bought it at the Charlotte, NC airport on the way home from Jamaica, and it saved me from unconsciousness on the ride home. Having something to focus on really helped with my air sickness. (Monte bought a Yacht magazine - the man loves to dream!) The book was so good, I don't want to "ruin" it by watching the movie.

Today, I'm in the mood for a self-help/informative book of the business variety. I know my warm, kind-hearted, enchanting and attractive personality can only take me so far in business. (Why are you laughing?) I'm hoping to find something worthwhile to my business, because it can never be good enough!

Since I'm also in the mood to be more frugal, I'm making a list for the library. Normally, I'd order the books, but I just blew my book fund of a wakeboard. (Totally worth it, by the way) Here's what I have so far:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.
Good to Great by Jim Collins.
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't work.... by Michael E. Gerber.

If I manage to read all of those, maybe I'll actually learn something useful!

New Weekly Special

I started a new weekly special this week. Watch the home page, The Crazy Quilter for a new special every Thursday. Hopefully I will stay more faithful with this than I have in the past! This week's special is Valentine's fabrics.

Sweet Sunshine Complete

As promised, here is the final pic of Sweet Sunshine. I used layer cakes from Hemming House.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Today is my "Monday" at the shop. (I know, I'm a slacker) I guess everyone waited until they saw my car in the parking lot, because I'm been slammed all day!

I called to check on an order this morning and found out that they didn't receive my order from Spring Market? Oh no, not this again. Well, that explains why I haven't received it yet!

This morning, my Moda rep, Bonnie, was here. Always fun to look at the new fabrics that are coming out! I ordered a line for December, plus a few patterns.

As soon as Bonnie got here, and ever since, there has been a stream of people in and out. Shoppers, latte drinkers, people picking up quilts, etc.! In the middle of it all, my new wakeboard got here! It's pretty awesome, can't wait to try it! Plus, bonus - it has a weight limit of 170 pounds. How's that for motivation to eat right?

I managed to quilt my layer cake project yesterday. Yes, I actually quilted something of my own! I'll post a picture soon.

Yesterday, I spent the morning at the dentist, which always puts me in a bad mood. More on that soon!

Tuesday I found out I need to polish up my drywall skills. (Uh oh, what dry wall skills?) Looks like we'll be doing a little more work to the rental than we thought!

Saturday I squeezed myself into a dress to attend my grandparents' anniversary party. I've been told there are pictures out there somewhere, but I'm not sure I want to see them......I may never wear a dress again.

My shop day's almost over today, but tomorrow I get to do it all over again. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Ride the Waves!

I ordered a new toy yesterday. No, it's not a sewing machine, or a new quilting gadget. It's a wakeboard!
I've been wanting to try wakeboarding ever since we got our first boat 3 years ago. Now, I'm finally going to get my chance. Just to be sure I can get as many weekends of practice in as possible, I even paid extra for expedited shipping. Plus, it has flowers on it, to keep Monte from showing me up!

Hopefully, my one calling in sports will be water sports, because, trust me, land sports aren't it. At 6th grade basketball camp, I took a basketball to the gut and passed out. In junior high volleyball, I couldn't even serve it over the net. By highschool, I'd given up and taken up cheerleading instead. Still, I wasn't exactly at the top of the pyramid. Now, I'm on a mission to prove I do have at least an inkling of capability in watersports.
By this time Sunday, I will either be riding the waves like a pro, or unable to walk upright. Should be fun!

Snow Wonderland Up and Running

I've finished uploading Snow Wonderland to the website! I got the invoice in the mail yesterday, so I'm counting on them actually shipping it this time. Enjoy, the "Cabin Fever" book has some great projects using this fabric!

There's a New Diva in Town

Look out, world. Here comes Kylee. She's my middle child, so she has the biggest personality. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see her doing her best model strut as we exited the mall after her hair cut! Where's the video camera when you need it?

Monday Mania and Happenings

It's Monday! My favorite day of the week, usually, because I get to sleep in and stay home. Today, especially, that was a blessing because we spent a long, long day at the lake yesterday. I was talked into riding the tube with my sister, plus water skiing, which means today I am feeling every muscle (or lack there of) in my body. Still, I've managed to finish a quilt and mow the yard. Now on to grocery shopping, which really hurts the pocket book these days!

This week, that Snow Wonderland fabric had better show up! The Basket BOM's are all ready for pick-up, and I'll also be sending out Moda University barbeque invitations, hopefully finishing them tonight.

I'll be posting renovation updates later today. It is going slow but steady. Luckily, I'm a pretty laid back person, so I've decided to just get the job done and let the money fall where it may. It usually all works itself out anyways, no use worrying about it now!

Kylee has managed to get gum in her hair. So much so, in fact, that 3 tablespoons of peanut butter and shampoo won't remove it! I think it's time for her first major hair cut. Yes, I said first. She may be 6, but after Bailey "trimmed" her own hair with pinking shears when she was 4 or 5, Kylee was my last hope for the long, flowing, luxurious, non-frizzy tresses that I'll never have. Time to let go of a dream!

Any ideas for a parade float? Deary Days is the first weekend in August, and I've got nothing. I can't be the only business in town without a float, so throw me your ideas, please! Otherwise, I'll have to resort to a really lame float, with a few quilts and my kids throwing candy.