How to feel old and senile

Our trip to San Diego was peaceful, restful and relaxing. We played with the baby and did all the things grandparents do (including a trip to the zoo to watch the monkeys and the flamingoes) and still squeezed in time to go to the graduation. If you have never spent an hour in front of the flamingo cage at the San Diego zoo, you don't know what you are missing. They must have 40 flamingoes all sitting on eggs presently. Their nesting habits were fascinating to watch and the Little Miss just sits and watches.

We saw this poster as we were leaving the zoo. I am fascinated by the expression, especially the eyes. I keep thinking about what type of fabric to try something like this.



And now for the lesson in 'how to feel old and senile' in less than 10 minutes. First let me say that we tried and tried to get our younger daughter to just drop us at the curb in the airport in San Diego. If she had done as we asked, my embarassment would have been witnessed by only Big T - but no, she insisted on walking in with us and spending every possible minute with us before we left.


Big T and I used mileage to go to San Diego this time. We flew in on US Air and assumed we were flying home on US Air - NOT SO! When we checked in, a very nice young lady informed us, we were not scheduled on any flight out that day (or any other). After my protest, she looked at the itinerary I was waving in her face and politely informed us that we were flying home on United Air which was in the other terminal and about 1/2 mile walk. Of course our younger daughter by this time is sure that her mother has completely lost it and Big T is beginning to wonder.



Needless to say, we walked to the other terminal, checked in and saw our daughter watch us through security. Our layover was in Chicago where we had a 4 hour layover. Our older daughter was to take our car to the airport in Raleigh and leave it for us with a phone message telling us where she parked it. All worked like it was planned. EXCEPT - she parked it in terminal 1 (which is where we left from) and we were going to come in to terminal 2 after midnight.

So by now both daughters think their mother is totally senile and has lost it completely. Big T has been sure of it for several years and just shook his head at the happenings. I may not be allowed out without a keeper for awhile. And to think that I traveled professionally from coast to coast as a consultant for several years (and recently at that).

More to come - hugs to all of you.

Marie

Catching Up

Hi Again - Seems like I haven't written in months but it has only been three weeks. Let's see where to begin to catch up.

Who can resist a red package? Not me!!

Just before Mother's Day, I won Gerry's giveaway of her fantastic totebag collection. I saved the package until Mother's Day to open and then didn't have enough time left before leaving to show what was in the packages. At least I was able to send Gerry a quick note of appreciation and to share my excitement. As I told Gerry, 'the gifts just kept coming'.

Every time I opened a package, there was another one to open. I had as much fun as Christmas. They came just in time. This neat little collection became my travel 'kit' - held my sewing, my reading, and all the necessities for those cross country flights (bottle of water, candy bar).

The last little package was very special indeed to those of us who are Jane Austin fans.

I had to hide this one from both daughters or I would have lost it for sure.

Thank you Gerry so very much - you are a talented special lady. For the rest of you, be sure you check out her blog at www.gerryart.blogspot.com.

Our two weeks in San Diego were fantastic. We fell in love with the Little Miss all over again. She is an 18 month old barrel of energy who never stops. More about our trip in the next post. I am now in the process of catching up on reading all my back log of blogs. (I absolutely cannot miss reading a single one.) Tomorrow I am going to spend in my studio unpacking my new toy. I have had it for three weeks and it is not out of the box yet.

Hugs to all of you.

Marie

New Toys at Our House!

Two new toys (essential retirement tools) have shown up at our house over the last week: 1) a Bose surround system for Big T's movie and TV addiction; and 2) a new Bernina 440QE for my entertainment. Now that's exciting!!! Photo's to come later. How do you take a photo of sound, hmmmmm!!

Big T and I went to the Hickory NC Quilt Show last Friday which was sponsored by Bernina. Needless to say the show prices on their machines was to good to pass up. But pass it up I did! (Aren't you proud of me? I came home with 6 fat quarters and a pattern - that's all.) Then Saturday a.m. I went to a simple demo (with my trusty Singer) and it literally gave up the ghost. I couldn't even make a decent zig zag stitch and a satin stitch - forget about it.

So I returned home from the demo and called the Bernina District Manager and gave her my credit card info. I pick up my new baby later this week from the local dealer after the embroidery module is installed.

Other news - it was really fun to meet up with Carrie at the show. I had a ball walking around looking at everyone's bag trying to find hers. AND then, there she was - at a wool and applique booth (I think). Now that's where I should have looked in the first place. It's always so nice to meet blogging friends on the "outside world".

Big T and I are off to San Diego for two weeks next Tuesday. We haven't seen the Little Miss since Christmas and are eager to take up where we left off. (I have been trying to get her to say Grandma since she was 2 weeks old. She is now 19 months old and still refuses to say it. She says Papa just fine and has for many, many months - she just won't say Grandma.)

Check out Aly's site to vote on the Spring Fling Design Challenge. I won't tell you which way to vote - let your conscience be your guide.

VERY EXCITING!!!! I am watching the mail hourly. I won the fantastic bag and two wallets hand made by Gerry in her latest give away. I can't believe I won. Of course I'll take pictures when it arrives. My fault it is a few days behind Gerry's schedule. I thought I sent her my address and was so excited I forgot to send it. Only after a gentle (as in knock up side the head) reminder, did I realize that she couldn't send it until I sent her my addresss. DUH!

Hugs to you all!

Marie