Weekend Memories...

Hi there! Have you ever had such a great weekend that Monday morning was a complete shock to the system? WOW! I really didn't want this last weekend to end! While there were moments of it that were less than stellar, like a sick boyfriend and a funeral, for the most part, it was fantastic!


Paul (my honey) lives 2 hours south of me and my kids' dad (Chris) lives 3 hours north of me. While not the most ideal situation, we do manage the best we can. With the kids busy in school, it makes for some interesting scheduling! This weekend Matt had to play a half time show for the football game on Friday night and because it was the biggest rivalry in the conference, requested to stay for the rest of the game. His dad understood and we made arrangements to take the kids to him on Sat. morning. Normally we meet half way, but my Uncle's funeral was near his house, we just drove them up to him. Hopefully he can repay the favor some day! Not holding my breath, but one can hope right? Paul was sick on Friday night so got up at 4:30 Sat. morning and drove the 2 hours to my house to get into my vehicle to drive the 3 hours up to Minneapolis!

We dropped the kids off with my ex (Chris) and checked into the motel. After a bite to eat, we went on to the funeral. It was lovely to see so many relatives that I don't get to see often, even if for a sad occasion. Uncle Harold was 90 years old and had suffered through several bouts of cancer, the latest being Prostrate Cancer. He was in a lot of pain and missed his beloved wife terribly. She passed nearly 2 years ago.

Well, after the funeral, Paul and I went to the Mall of America! I haven't been there in over six years and was excited to go back! We stayed til late and ate dinner at Ruby Tuesdays! Yummy!! Steak, potatoes and tiramasu!! Mmmmm...my favorite! :)

I think I have to have the most indulgent boyfriend in the entire world! Sunday he took me to JoAnn Fabrics and walked with me while I searched every aisle for just the right item! I stocked up on paper maiche christmas ornaments for Hailey's gifts and some Christmas fabric. Then I found the photo boxes on sale 2 for $5! Of course I had to have them, along with some scrapbook items for the kids' books!

Then it was off to lunch with my awesome friend Tracie! I haven't seen her in 6 years and it was as if not a day had passed! We cried when we saw each other and we cried when we had to leave! I miss her so much! She was one of the few friends I had when I lived in the Twin Cities and was there for me through one of the worst times in my life!

After lunch, Paul and I snuck over to the quilt shop! One of my favorite places in the world (along with the bookstore)! I had a hard time deciding on something, so I bought several somethings and 2 hours and $100 lighter in the pocketbook I was finally done. I am so excited to get home from work tonight and dust off my sewing machine! It has been screaming my name for some time and tonight I finally get to succumb to the passion that comes with my quilting! For me, it is therapy! Listening to the whir of the machine soothes me. Standing there mindlessly pressing blocks is better than any drug! I can't wait!! And I just found out my bestie, Lori may be coming to join us! 

I will post pictures as soon as I have them! :) Until later.......

What I am Thankful For:
Visiting with Family I don't see often
Seeing a friend after a very long absence
Browsing (and buying) in a quilt shop
An indulgent Boyfriend
Spectacular kids!
My job
Warm temperatures in October! (Nearly 80 in Wisconsin on 11 Oct? Unheard of!)
Walking with friends
Goals

Who I am Praying for:
My friend with depression (though they seem to be doing better the last few days)
My friend with the  twisted intestine
My friend who's mom has cancer
My cousin as she sorts out her life and gets back on the right track
My dad
My kids of course, always, every day, several times a day

My Craft Table....

Hi There!! I am so glad to see you! A visit with friends always brightens my day! Grab a cup of tea and sit down for a visit! :)

So I am sitting here at work, drifting through several blogs, looking at several crafts that my friends and fellow bloggers have on their craft tables and in their sewing baskets and I long for the day when I can get back to my crafts. My quilting fabric is calling my name and my sewing machine nearly jumps out at me when I walk by, begging me to come and sit awhile and listen to the theraputic whir as I stitch together the blocks of a quilt, watching it come to life under my fingertips. I have been browsing the quilting magazines piling up on my dresser of fabric and contemplating a purge so I know exactly what I have in my stash!

My life is so hectic right now that some things have to give. Unfortunately for me, that is my crafting and quilting. I really do miss it and need to find a way to get back to it. It is my stress reliever and my therapy! A day at the quilt shop with my bestie is far cheaper and better therapy than any doctor or drug can be! I also know that now is the time to pass the skills I have on to my daughter. She is 9 and has inherited her great-grandmother's sewing machine. She begs to use it and to learn to sew. Now is the time I need to teach her. Not only that but wonderful bonding occurs at the crafting table!

Lord help me to find the time to pass these wonderful past-times on to her and let me find the time to get back to myself!

What therapy do you turn to when life starts to get to busy and threatens to overwhelm you? 

What I am Grateful for Today:
My awesome adorable kids!
Sunshine
Fabric and Quilt Shops
Family ties
That I have a job

Who/What I am Praying for today:
My dear friend and his family as they deal with his mother's diagnosis of cancer
That the speed bumps of a relationship can be worked through
That I make more time for me (through crafting/quilting/reading/whatever....)
Help working toward my dreams
My family and friends

An Introduction

Hello! Welcome to my Blog! As the first post in my blog, I shall attempt to introduce myself! My name is Sheila. I live in the upper Midwest with my two children, Matt and Hailey. Matt is 14 and in high school. There are days that being the parent of a teenagers is the most trying job in the world. Matt plays football and wants to join the golf team in the spring. He also plays the tenor saxaphone. He is in concert band, pep band, jazz band and marching band. Hailey is 9 and a complete diva already. She is almost as involved as her brother. She is in the girl scouts and also takes 3 different types of dance lessons, ballet, tap and jazz. They both have huge hearts and unfortunately have to deal with being the children of divorce.

I also live with my cat, Jynx. He is a funny fellow, with a personality that you can't help but love. His favorite things to do are to sleep and to try to get attention. He is a big fat lump of loving!

I have a wonderful boyfriend, Paul, whom I love very much. Unfortunately, he lives 2 hours away from me and much of our time together falls on the weekends, and then only the ones he doesn't work. He is a 22 year veteran of the military and still serves in the National Guard. I'm proud of who he is and what he does. There is just seeing him in uniform that makes my heart swell with pride.

I love to read, quilt/sew/craft, scrapbook and write. I like to try new recipe and redecorate my house. I am also a part-time student finishing my degree. I can't wait to have it over, but am having so much fun while I am doing it. Next semester I have Comp & Lit and The American West history class. I have a busy life, but I am doing my best to enjoy every minute.

There is always a lot going on in my life! I am always looking for new friends. Stop on by, share a cup of tea and let's chat for awhile!

What I am Thankful for Today:
- Having wonderful happy healthy kids
- Time with Paul
- Taking down the Christmas decorations for another year
- a working furnace (-26 below windchills tonight)
- family

Who I am Praying for Today:
- My kids
- Paul
- Soldiers over seas
- Friends as they return from deployment