How to make an American Quilt pt 2

I was strolling along a street in Mountain View with Katie last night an I happened upon this place. I was so excited. I thought maybe I could find some inspiration for my upcoming project. When I looked in the window and found this...... someone is going to have a very merry christmas this year!

How to make an American Quilt

Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party

In the sky the bright stars glittered
On the bank the pale moon shone
And 'twas from aunt Dinah's quilting party
I was seeing Nellie home

Maybe some of you read my post on the fabric of family if you did it may seem like I'm becoming obsessed with quilts. When I wrote that post I started thinking about my granny. Some of you may know, most of you probably don't, my granny is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. I wasn't thinking about that when I wrote that post though. My memory went back to her quilting circle. She would gather her friends together in the back bedroom of the house and they would work on a quilt for weeks. I remember their skilled hands working mindlessly, it seemed, as they chatted and laughed with one another. I tucked that memory away with a smile. Then, my friend Katie's son received a gift, which was a homemade quilt. Katie and started talking about the quilt and I told her that story of my granny and the quilting circle. Which then turned into a conversation about my family heritage. I tend to to think that there is nothing special about it nothing worth salvaging or passing down. That conversation changed my mind. Before my Granny becomes too locked inside herself to realize what is happening around her I want preserve the quilting party tradition. I want her to be able to see me with my friends laughing, talking, and sewing mindlessly. Any takers?

*the song lyrics are especially for my JSU friends!

Me...In a Nutshell

Need I say more. I found this t-shirt online it pretty much describes me. Specifically, the part I hate most about my personality. I think this shirt might have to replace the one that said "tomorrow is my favorite day of the week." Can anyone else relate to my problem. I never want to do the thing that absolutely needs to be done. I always want to avoid it. To some it may seem like I forget things. That is not the case. I almost always remember what needs to be done. It hangs over me like Eeyore's cloud as a constant reminder of what I have not done yet. I avoid out of fear not irresponsibility.

Fabric of Family

What is that saying "friends are the family you choose for yourself" okay, okay, maybe it's a little cliche. I think I'm ok with it though. I think so because for some reason I feel more ok with being myself with my friends. More free to grow and move in different directions. This is not a knock to my actual family. I love them and am grateful for them. But in some ways I think I hold back a lot with them. Not sure why. There is something to be said about finding a soul friend; one that just gets you. I have been so blessed in my life to have so many special friends along the way. Friends that actually pray for me, those that continue to be my friend when I can be a little flaky, those that make me laugh and I in turn do the same for them, the ones that allow me to really see their lives, those that are brutally honest, or even try to find my husband. To all of you I hope you find yourself somewhere in this list. It is by no way complete. Somehow I picture all of you as pieces of a quilt that come together with such beauty and grace that makes up the fabric of my family

The Everyman

I love John Cusack. My love began with this movie Say Anything and has continued. I love the character of Lloyd Dobbler. Maybe you don't care but I want to share with you why I love that character. Lloyd is a fighter I could venture to say a warrior. His character is a kickboxer which reveals on the surface what is really underneath. Every girl wants a Lloyd and I'll tell you why. He knows what he wants (Dianne Court) and goes after her. He doesn't back down, he pursues! This picture says it all! Look at him standing confidently (in that outfit) not wavering,holding that ghetto blaster, shouting clearly without saying anything that he loves this woman.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

• "one question, do you need someone or do you need me? Forget it, I don't really care."

• "stick with us and we'll teach you bibles of truth"

• I am looking for a dare to be great situation

• I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen. (I think we all can relate)

• I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that.

• Lloyd : I got a question. If you guys know so much about women, how come you're here at like the Gas 'n' Sip on a Saturday night completely alone drinking beers with no women anywhere? Joe: By choice, man.

I could go on. I hope if you have never seen it you should check it out along with with High Fidelity and Gross Pointe Blank!

Long and overdue 1/2 marathon update!

This is the day before the race. We were still on a high from the free stuff at the expo!
This is me awaiting our shuttle to take us to the starting line. As you can see it was dark outside. This is when I really began to question my decision. I look confident though, don't I?
Here we are prerace. Little did we know what would be awaiting us! Lines for miles (it seemed) outside the port o potties. At six in the morning they had all ran out of toilet paper. Note to self bring toilet paper next race. However, we met some nice friends in line who hunted down some tp for us. We had to split it and each got about 3 sheets. This was not nearly enough. I figured this out quickly and resorted to using the actual cardboard roll. OUCH! 2 words kept running through my mind- Staff infection.
Post race! I like to call this death by mileage. I'm sorry all of you have to look at that profile all the time. Whose nose is that anyway???
We weren't really all that happy. I must tell you that Amanda refused to remove her medal that day. I think she might sleep in it. shh don't tell her I let out her little secret.