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

Wishes, Dreams and a Good Bye....

Hi There....Welcome back! I'm sorry it has been such a long time since I have been here! I can't believe how crazy my life is. I have been in school for the past three years trying to finish my Bachelor's Degree and this semester I have one of the toughest classes I've ever had, Statistics. Instead of enjoying the fall days, baking apple crisp or jumping in leaf piles with my kids, I have to be inside nearly every moment, studying and doing homework. Fall is my favorite time of year and this year I feel like I am completely missing it!

I am not complaining though, once I have this class done, I will graduate with my Associate's Degree. And if I can keep my grade up in this class, I will graduate with honors! How exciting! I will weather this storm to reap the benefits later! :) One step closer to my dream....

As usual in the fall, my thoughts turn to those of living simply and harvesting the fruits of labor to use for the winter. I think of canned apple pie filling that will turn into warm, delicious apple pies in January. I think of the warm quilts that I am working on that will keep us warm through the cold Wisconsin, winter nights. I think of evenings of cocoa and laughter after a long day of sledding and snowball fights! I think of the days spent making cookies and treats to share with family and friends! I love these thoughts and treasure them dearly, waiting for the day that I can live the life that I have been dreaming of for so long.

You see, my dream, the one that I hold dearest, closest to my heart is to have a hobby farm, here, near my family. I want to look out my window and see the rolling hills with the leaves changing colors. I want to see pastures full of cows, horses, even sheep. I want to have a quilt studio for my sewing and a photography studio for my other hobby. And I want to have cabins for recovering veterans, home from war. A big farm house, with a large porch surrounding it with swings and rocking chairs where you can sit and look out on forever. Yummy smells coming from the kitchen, floating over you as you wander the paths of the garden. I am going to school for psychology to be able to help the vets, but I believe that fresh air, sunshine and a place to relax is a wonderful place to begin the recovery. And we all know that animals can be hugely instrumental in recovery as well.  This is my dream and I try hard every single day to take one, two or more steps toward achieving this goal.

One more note to today's post...a good bye.....My Uncle Harold passed away yesterday morning. He was 90 years old and finally gave in to the cancer that tormented him. He is now dancing with the Lord, with his arms around his loving wife. His parents and siblings and many other beloved family members met him at the gate.....Rest in Peace Uncle Harold, you will be missed.....

What I am  Thankful for Today....
My health
My beloved children
My wonderful loving boyfriend
Having a dream
A beautiful fall day
Sunshine
God's love

Today's Prayers....
My  Uncle and my family as we lay him to rest
My children
Safe travels this weekend
Paul's continued healing
The McKensey family and all that they do
My dad as he faces his heart surgery
For a heart of servitude and forgiveness