There's A Monster in My House !!!!

My Grandmother Looney taught me to sew when I was in grade school.  I have always loved it and have done quite a bit over the years.  At first it was mostly clothing, then home decorating  and baby gifts were added to the mix.  About 8 years ago I made 3 quilts.  There were actual directions and a pattern to one of them (king size), and the other 2 were t-shirt quilts made from Marlie's high school athletic shirts and her college sorority shirts.  It was fun, but I didn't get hooked.  In fact, I made the statement that I made one to prove that I could and didn't intend to do it again.  Well.....

Beachin'

Dottie

I obviously mis-spoke.  At a recent Ladies Luncheon here at "The Home", we had the pleasure of hearing one of our neighbors talk about her quilts.  She brought many beautiful ones with her and we were all duly impressed.  After lunch she asked if anyone would be interested  in lessons and I signed up.  It only took one lesson and there it was.....the monster in my house.  I am hooked! SOAP helped me rearrange the middle bedroom so I could leave my sewing machine set up and my mess left out.   Don't worry, I am still addicted to Words with Friends too.  My iPad and phone are always nearby so I can play while I sew.

Marty Kratz is the one responsible for my new addiction.  She and her husband Art are a great couple. Marty is a great teacher and such a fun person. Art is a fantastic artist.  His watercolors are so beautiful and filled with great detail. You would never know that he is legally blind.   They both teach their  special talents in their home 2 days a week.  At every lesson she shows me a new technique and I can't wait to learn the next one this week.  

I am determined to make eleven this year.  That is one for SOAP, one for each grandchild, and one for each child.  SOAP better get a second job 'cause this is going to get expensive.  Oh, I forgot to mention the new sewing machine I 'NEEDED'.  Thankfully he has become quite the housekeeper because I am just too busy now.  

Fun Long Weekend

On the 18th, brave Marlie loaded a toddler and a five week old baby into her SUV and came to visit. Logan had a DVD player and snacks and was set for the long trip.  Aaron only woke up once to be fed, if you don't count the final leg across Loop 1604 to get to our house.  Logan hit the driveway running and Aaron was quickly fed. This was the first time SOAP had seen baby Aaron in person.  He turned out to be a great babysitter.  He and Logan just about drove the tires off the golf cart.

On Saturday we loaded up 2 car seats, a pack and play and many suitcases and drove to McAllen to meet Uncle Phil, Aunt Trish and cousins Lauren and Lenzy.  SOAP was dropped off at the hotel and Marlie and I took the boys and went on to Harlingen to see many old friends.  Farmer Richard and Aunt Cheryl invited us to spend the night at their house.  They have 10 grandchildren and have baby beds as permanent fixtures in 2 bedrooms.  The Keltners, Magees, and Lynn Johnsons all came over for a hastily planned party.  We had such fun and all the grandmothers and wanna be's got a tiny baby 'fix'.  Thanks old friends!

Sunday we did early church at CFC in Harlingen and second service in McAllen.  After lunch, it was back in the car and home to San Antonio.  Marlie and the boys decided to spend a whole day out of the car and stayed over until Tuesday morning.  We had such a good time with them.  SOAP has some pictures he will post on his blog and Marlie probably has some good ones too.  Thanks to Andrew for giving up his family for the weekend.