tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68813164063740460472024-02-20T16:37:44.610-06:00Renaissance LivingRenaissance...the activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning....a renewal of life, vigor, interest.....
Renaissance living involves finding the creativity in your everyday life. It is often frugal living, or crafty living, but it is also much more than that. It is finding the art and beauty in the world around us, and making the most of that. It is love and time with family and friends. Renaissance living is creating a happy, healthy lifestyle.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-78447580070991677092018-08-12T14:23:00.002-05:002018-08-12T14:23:54.598-05:00Welcome Back to the RenaissanceThe last post I wrote was in May 2014. I can't begin to tell you all I have done or not done in that time, nor whether is was worthy of blogging. All I can say, is that writing in the blog has not been a priority. I'm picking up the note here, inspired to return to my original ideas for Renaissance living. I have practiced a creative, eclectic sense of the Renaissance way off and on for a long time and now it seems appropriate to return to it. I have missed doing my art on a consistent basis. I see too many quilt projects waiting to finish. I don't get to play with my grandkids enough. My gardening needs help. I'm reevaluating the things in my home. Some need to go. Others, that I feel love for at the moment, need to come front and center.<br />
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In the book<u> Level Up Your Live</u> by Steve Kamb, he said to take your excuses and reword them. He changed the "I don't have time" to "It's not a priority". That really hit the nail on the proverbial head for me. I have been letting things that are not all that important interfere with things I want as priorities. It can come down to how you look at things.<br />
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Yesterday, I got up early to drive 2 hours to see a couple of soccer games of my granddaughter's. After the 930am game, we basically waited for a rain delay before the second game until about 430pm when it was decided to cancel that game, and I had a 2 hour drive back home. Instead of looking at it like wasting a bunch of time for only one soccer game, I view it as a highly successful day. I got to see Morgan play. I got to have a nice lunch with Paige and Jim. I got to interact with Mallory. I had a great one on one conversation with Morgan. I got to see a pretty part of the area that I had not been to before. And I didn't worry about work, or a clean house, or anything like that.<br />
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Will I continue to write about my journey back to being Renaissance Mom (Now Renaissance Grandma)? I don't know. But today I feel good about rediscovering myself, and who I want to be.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-39862539005794234542014-05-09T14:32:00.000-05:002014-05-09T14:32:05.168-05:00Every nine monthsSo it's been nine months since my last post. And nine months since the post before that. So, does checking in with myself, and whoever, every nine months constitute consistency? I guess,sort of. Life always has a way of getting too complicated and too involved. I find it interesting what things seem to be able to take over all my time. Work...kids...vacation...school....gardening....hobbies....health issues....holidays....weather...not to mention the unspoken evils of politics and religion.<br />
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Nine months ago I was getting organized for school. Now the school year is just about over and I finally have time to try this organizing thing again. I have a new phone so I tried to put my shopping list in it. How convenient. The only problem is that you have to actually look at it for it to be helpful. Of course, I made it home without something.<br />
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Chaos seems to rule, but interestingly enough, I keep falling back into old habits when I feel life has gotten out of control. That means, the old habits actually do work for me, I just don't keep them up consistently once the chaos has calmed. I just about have my bathroom not only under control, but pleasant, and peacefully organized and clean. That's saying something. Now...what space to tackle next?Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-66778369836586731322013-08-21T10:59:00.003-05:002013-08-21T10:59:52.757-05:00Organized for Back To SchoolIt's been 9 months since my last post. That is amazing. It also shows how busy, and somewhat unorganized my life has been for the past year. But as of this week, the family is on schedule. We have to be. With three adults and two kids in the house and a second household of two adults and three kids, we are very very busy. Everyone is in school or at work the majority of the days and then we add in soccer for all five kids. I needed a system to keep track of where I needed to b, when, and with whom.<br />
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I tried doing a calendar on paper, but now I've gone tech and am trying Cozi. It lets me input all 9 people and their varied schedules. I can put the entire soccer schedule in when I get it rather than add it a week at a time. We've managed to have a quick family meeting on Friday to lay out what's happening in the next week. I'm even putting in the dinner menu including who is cooking it. And to make me smile, it's all color coded. Now it is a little quirky at times, not putting something on the calendar. It may be operator error, but I'm figuring it out. For the most part, so far, so good, but I'm only on week two. I know how I am with all these "great ideas" I have. Let's hope I can keep this up, because it has really reduced the stress of trying to get everything done and everyone to where they need to be.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-44666545526845168472012-10-15T21:31:00.001-05:002012-10-15T21:31:16.603-05:00Don't Give Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The dog training continues. For a week, we have walked the pack. We were commenting yesterday about how it had been a week since our last altercation with Redford and Henry. Of course, that jinxed us, and there was a disturbance that night, and another minor encounter today.<br />
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Somewhat disheartened, I took Redford to John's (Standing Obeytion) socialization class tonight. I was not willing to take Abby too. I thought the car ride alone would be too much and I was probably right about that. Redford was crazy in the car and we kept Henry in the front floor area. When we got there, Leann and Henry got out and I attempted to put the muzzle on Redford. I'd been working all week with that using treats and it had gone very well. But tonight, in the car, a very excited Redford proved to be difficult to get the muzzle on, but I did.<br />
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John was busy with some other dog, so I took Redford, scratching to try to get the muzzle off, over into a side area and waited. I was surprised when John came that he seemed genuinely glad to see Redford. He said the muzzle was a good fit and that only one "fight" in a week was good, and soon it would be one in two weeks. He took Redford and went off into the area with the other dogs. <br />
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I was totally amazed. The dog that I have taken on walks all week, that barked crazily and ferosiously at especially dogs on a leash was nervous but extremely well behaved. He had managed to get the muzzle off, but John didn't seemed fazed in the least. John turned Redford over to me and we walked with only one barking incident for the entire time. We did switch to try a Gentle Leader to stop some of his pulling (and our constant correcting).<br />
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Bottom line, we have improved. We still have a ways to go. We need to commit to consistently walking the dogs every day, correcting them at home. I think we'll try all three dogs in class next week. Oh boy.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-89208900573323840072012-10-07T21:11:00.000-05:002012-10-15T21:31:58.530-05:00I love my dogs, even when they frustrate meSometimes life takes a turn, and even though you think you are prepared and trained for something, you realize you need help. That's where I was with my dog, Redford.<br />
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I have always considered my dogs fairly well trained. Abby went to puppy school. Redford had one lesson on not pulling on a leash which didn't really pan out. They all come when called from the backyard. They sit, shake, and lie down for cookies. Abby learned 'drop it' and 'leave it'. both very usefull things. They have learned to go into a bedroom when someone comes to the door, which seemed easier than making them stay back. The only problem has been that Redford goes nuts over other dogs and cars. He was always sort of embarrassing to take to the vet, and I couldn't take him for walks because he would go ballistic at other dogs barking. When my one daughter lived with us for a while, Redford and Stuart, her Jack Russell, got into a fight. We contributed that to the fact that they were too similar. Both males, both terriers, both used to being the "alpha" dog of the family.<br />
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Time goes on and all is okay until last month when Leann moved back home. While it's a temporary arrangement, it will last for a few months. We didn't anticipate any problems as her dog, Henry, is a pug and is stupid and docile. Well, it didn't take long before we had an incident with Henry and Redford. After breaking up a couple of fights and playing "musical dogs" my frustration level was too high. We were not making any headway. So I felt I had to get help.<br />
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Enter John Lopez. John has his own dog training business called Standing OBEYtion. He's really nice and seems to really understand dogs. He came out here to help with our entire "pack". That includes at the moment, 3 dogs, 5 cats, 2 toddlers and 3 adults. He understood that our problem was not going to be solved by dealing with only Redford. Everyone had to be part of the solution. I was amazed at how he dealt with each dog differently based on that particular dog's personality and needs. He made us realize that Henry has a fear of unknown people. I was also amazed at how he was able to get Redford to cooperate. He left us with techniques and the assignment to walk them every day.<br />
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He was here on Thursday. It's Sunday morning and I'm feeling a mixture of frustration and resolve. The walks have gone better, but still have a ways to go. We have still had a few altercations and have learned that we are unprepared to deal with them unless Leann and I are both at home to each grab and correct a dog, thus we still play musical dogs at times. I have only called John twice, but we talked about calling him a couple other times. I wanted instant gratification because that seems to be the American Dream, but, realistically, I know this is going to take some time. I will be so glad when we have made more progress. We are planning on taking Henry and Abby to John's socialization class on Monday. I think Redford needs another week of walking before we try that with him. We called John to solve the one problem of fighting, but he has show us the light of what it can be like taking nice walks and having calm dogs in the house. Now, I want all of that.<br />
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I love my dogs and it reminds me of how we feel about our kids. We want so badly for them to be good and for others to see them at their best. That's not life. Kids and dogs need rules and discipline as well as love. We do what we think is right, with the best of intentions, but sometimes it's hard to distinguish when we are lacking the correct balance of rules and love. <br />
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<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-51868926571122744742012-07-25T19:36:00.000-05:002012-07-25T19:36:45.407-05:00Cowfest!We all survived Cowfest and although it didn't go exactly as originally planned, I think everyone had fun.<br />
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The first twist in the plan came several weeks ago when we realized that Memory Lane Dairy had been sold to Hiland and there would be no farm tour. We still got Memory Lane milk in chocolate, strawberry, and orange dreamsicle flavors. We did a little taste test of all three. They are so rich and creamy it's like liquid dessert. The kids split on chocolate and strawberry and I thought the orange was awesome! It was the perfect drink to go with our grilled cheese sandwiches as we discussed where milk comes from; that the black and white cows are the main milk producers; what other products we love like cheese that are made from milk; And even how back in the old days....so old, it never happened at my house....milk used to be delivered and left beside the back door.<br />
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We told cow jokes, read cow poems, and did activity sheets of various difficulties depending on the age of the kid. Then they settled down to check out the pictures in a photo book from Chicago's Cows On Parade. If you aren't familiar with that fabulous exhibit, here are the basic details. From June to October 1999, the city of Chicago was dotted with life size cow statues that had been decorated by various artists including George Rodrigue who is famous for his Blue Dog art. He actually had three cows on display on Michigan Avenue. The kids were more interested in these cows than I had even hoped, laughing at the silly ones, and picking their favorites. It also was a perfect introduction to the whimsy of the cow quilts.<br />
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The quilts were presented one at a time and the kids shouted out who they thought it was for. They matched each quilt with the right child so I knew I'd done well. The kids loved their quilts.<br />
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The day ended as we headed off to look at some live cows. Now that shouldn't have been a big deal, as there are cow pastures all around us, but it was so hot the cows had all moved far away from the road. We finally tracked down a handful which were all greeted with moos before we headed home.<br />
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I'd say Cowfest was a success. I wonder what we'll do next summer.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-83507832274892085182012-07-22T13:12:00.000-05:002012-07-22T13:12:43.150-05:00Cows are finished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Dairy Tales" for Morgan. Cow and Castle with princess, Disney princess and Snow White fabrics.</div>
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"Winnie The Moo" for Mackenzie. Cow in Pooh red sweater with 3 different Pooh fabrics and a teddy bear fabric background.</div>
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"Super Moo" for Jack. Superhero cow with cape in Superman, Batman, and Spiderman prints flying over a city skyline of Spiderman fabric.</div>
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"Monkey See Monkey Moo" for Mallory. Cow with 2 pink monkey prints, with green monkey print fabric in the background.</div>
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"Chugga Chugga Moo Moo" for Lucas. Cow standing on a flatbed rail car pulled by an engine with Thomas fabric and three railroad fabrics.</div>
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All in all, they came out pretty cute, I think. Each is tailored to the kid's specific interests. I think they'll like them. I'll try to post Cowfest pictures after the actual event.</div>
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<br /></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-5394055318882913212012-07-07T06:43:00.000-05:002012-07-07T06:43:26.176-05:00Hold Still<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D0OZx3YDqe0VXxLvxiOnQGkvqIZVg2XqkGWGhkP_BtNytX-TnKm0bbV0PLh6yeHCq-DssoYtzeyGYtwLlzlblFdvI76nYxs3qKQnuHIlqNq3pwppl3ddmmhXWWApyKWdWOkaQkb8Lw/s1600/DSCN2260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D0OZx3YDqe0VXxLvxiOnQGkvqIZVg2XqkGWGhkP_BtNytX-TnKm0bbV0PLh6yeHCq-DssoYtzeyGYtwLlzlblFdvI76nYxs3qKQnuHIlqNq3pwppl3ddmmhXWWApyKWdWOkaQkb8Lw/s640/DSCN2260.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Just try to get 5 kids to hold still, and smile for a group picture. It seems to be impossible with my bunch. Every time I have them all in one place I try for this. Most times, I can't even get them all in one spot for long enough to aim the camera. For this attempt, they couldn't decide on sitting or standing. Rather than fuss with them, I figured some could sit and some could stand. Not your studio pose, but oh well. And then, every picture I tried where they were actually looking at me, Jack was standing at the back, arm raised like he was holding the statue of liberty. I'm not sure what that was all about. It was the fourth...or Captain America Day according to Bubba. I realized they had better things to do like swing, play with the dog, or eat desserts, so I gave up. I guess that's alright. It all sounds more fun than just sitting still, and there will be plenty of more photo ops in the future. But, they are a great bunch of little kids, don't you think?<br />
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P.S. I changed the background. I don't know where this city is. I just thought it was fun. I wish I could change the walls in my house so easily.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-54611631817446638962012-06-02T17:01:00.001-05:002012-06-02T17:05:28.882-05:00Starry Starry quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm on my last round of the Liberated Round Robin. I love these as I never know exactly where they are going or how they're going to turn out. The instructions for this round were to look for "serendipity" in the quilt and finish it. Serendipity is not exactly how I was feeling about the quilt as it stood.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSzaE8Ta1fH0bg7a8p_7Kl8S7csB-AaNc0CVTxTmWrsoqxj69YCf5dP2GePx07TGnXhBOCRa9TYQdyMpeh4-Ckx2-6kGPrHY9OpyYbx_6Y8_fCN7hcsmfX7HwS5RqcOLpDBxLbZLVN5U/s1600/DSCN2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSzaE8Ta1fH0bg7a8p_7Kl8S7csB-AaNc0CVTxTmWrsoqxj69YCf5dP2GePx07TGnXhBOCRa9TYQdyMpeh4-Ckx2-6kGPrHY9OpyYbx_6Y8_fCN7hcsmfX7HwS5RqcOLpDBxLbZLVN5U/s320/DSCN2082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My wonky stars were seeming a little claustrophobic after the last round of color. The pink seemed too much. I also had two more stars to work with. So, as much as I hate to rip.......I had to back off some. </div>
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I added the other two stars to balance out the center design. I didn't have enough pink to completely encase the larger design, and I didn't think I wanted to anyway. So I decided to cut some more of the yellow sporadically into that bright pink border. </div>
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I was feeling pretty good about it now, but the stars are so subtle. I wanted to do one last thing to help them stand out against the bright colors, so I quilted around them. I think you can see it, they almost puff out in person. Here's another picture of one of them. </div>
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To finish it off, my quilting friends all seem to be in agreement that the binding should be one of the darker blues, so that's what I'm going to do. They all have a lot more experience than I do, and besides I don't have enough yellow, and I can't take any more of that pink.<br />
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I think it's going to finish up as a cute summertime table runner. Perfect for a nighttime party that includes star gazing.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-86297292743613251752012-05-06T19:16:00.003-05:002012-05-06T19:16:21.778-05:00Liberated Round Robin 2- Step 3Step three of the liberated round robin was to add color or black and white. <br />
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I tried a bright blue, but that made the whole piece shades of blue which seemed to miss the point of adding color.<br />
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I tried purple, but it didn't seem to look right.<br />
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I tried black, which was ok looking. I tried white, which seemed boring. I even tried a black and white print, but that was too busy.<br />
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Finally, I decided that I had already used color in the small yellow and hot pink splashes. Why not go back to that. I didn't have any more of the yellow, but I had a gold with yellow print, and I have more of the hot pink.<br />
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The pink border is wide, so I have plenty of room to play with it, depending on the next round's instructions.<br />
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So far, so good. I think I like it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cSkOOURyhazbJAPwr2TkU-DiUoLQje8ycTaexVMSKHn_D50sZV9O_yhyPJ0JVp5Swv8ab4DBwX0urnjc08MP328_Pznc3U_UUHC9cYAX_lMUjl_U38TXFTC40EnTsUQYBJblZwQU_w/s1600/DSCN2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cSkOOURyhazbJAPwr2TkU-DiUoLQje8ycTaexVMSKHn_D50sZV9O_yhyPJ0JVp5Swv8ab4DBwX0urnjc08MP328_Pznc3U_UUHC9cYAX_lMUjl_U38TXFTC40EnTsUQYBJblZwQU_w/s400/DSCN2082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-72509264970216007252012-04-09T17:14:00.000-05:002012-04-09T17:14:09.028-05:00Liberated Round Robin 2-step 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHl9YnUMTxLacIh_kgbYTr0YYHQRZVN3XeO4abrI71jn-asplTHlVytwAEweKoJNDOFx2g0k3axjmj8Us3pW8jE8Xgt435CJZqJMlQdaKQsXvGgpgURB8GZUEPV2E3YoCgCndQhuY6uE/s1600/DSCN1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHl9YnUMTxLacIh_kgbYTr0YYHQRZVN3XeO4abrI71jn-asplTHlVytwAEweKoJNDOFx2g0k3axjmj8Us3pW8jE8Xgt435CJZqJMlQdaKQsXvGgpgURB8GZUEPV2E3YoCgCndQhuY6uE/s320/DSCN1633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love a liberated round robin. You have no idea where you are going. It really is a great imagination stretcher. I started with 5 liberated slash and stash blue stars and a reject Block Lotto violet.<br />
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In round 1 I used one star and the violet and came up with this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqUMNEF3KvNLEk2H2OxFquAifMfD_0C9IDMzAeLuLz2yUkYG_ZtXkGWk27cyh3vPTScWopKfJdNcThDzWpqmNNDRjMXkbukSMT7-sJ88grSUb5bKQLSvbWZZ7LrKlVySHfguYcG9l8Yo/s1600/DSCN1634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqUMNEF3KvNLEk2H2OxFquAifMfD_0C9IDMzAeLuLz2yUkYG_ZtXkGWk27cyh3vPTScWopKfJdNcThDzWpqmNNDRjMXkbukSMT7-sJ88grSUb5bKQLSvbWZZ7LrKlVySHfguYcG9l8Yo/s320/DSCN1634.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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For round two we were supposed to incorporated "made" fabric from scraps. I used the yellow as an accent for my made fabric, but when I tried to add it to this first block, that hot pink was just too......pink! So I cut the pink down some, grabbed two more blue stars and put the pieces back together. This is what I came up with.</div>
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I like it. We'll see what round 3 will bring.<br />
<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-33779664827877700462012-03-19T11:14:00.001-05:002012-03-19T11:18:05.316-05:00Liberated Round Robin 2....step 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm trying my hand at another Round Robin. This one is intentionally liberated, so it could have some crazy steps. We'll see. For round one, the instructions were to start with some orphan block and "liberate it" by cutting, slashing, adding too, whatever. I am starting with these. The five stars are already liberated in that they are a little wack-o in shape. They were an experiment in the technique of stacking five pieces of material, cutting them apart, reorganizing them, and then sewing them back together. They have been sitting around for quite some time with no idea how to use them. The bright pink violet is a reject from the Block Lotto. This one didn't line up right, so I couldn't use it for Block Lotto because I have to send them to someone else. While I don't mind imperfections for myself, I can't send them to other people. After selecting these, I stared at them for quite a while to figure what I wanted to do. I really didn't want to slash the stars further as some of those pieces are already pretty small, and as I said they are already liberated. So the answer, of course, was to slash the violet and then piece them back together.<br />
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Here's what I ended up with:<br />
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I think I like it. We'll just have to see where the other steps go to see if any of the other stars can find a home in this quilt too.<br />
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OH, and a political sidebar.....<br />
Here in Missouri we had a Republican Primary and Republican Caucus. The Primary was not going to count, it was just a beauty vote since the caucus is how the delegates are picked. None the less, Santorum won the primary by a big margin. Well, the caucus a month later, in Greene county the people attending the caucus picked something like 64% of the delegates to be for Ron Paul, ignoring the primary vote completely. Somehow, that doesn't seem right to me.<br />
<strike></strike>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-5161835935003033252012-02-08T08:11:00.001-06:002012-02-08T08:11:44.256-06:00American values"I stand for honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you’d want to be treated and helping those in need. To me, those are traditional values. That’s what I stand for…I also believe in dance.” - Ellen<br />
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I listen to all this campaign rhetoric.....all the personal attacks...all the biased twisting of the facts. So many people seem to be afraid.....of people of a different race....of people of a different religion...even of people who are unemployed or in need of government assistance for one thing or another. The people that scare me the most are the ones that buy into some of these fears or some of these political statements without any thought or investigation of their own. <br />
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Just saying.....Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-50465110907717573242012-01-04T16:39:00.001-06:002012-01-04T16:40:28.807-06:00Accomplish....my word for 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaipSnofuM5tXi1cWu12jgxLBKeC0WDxdEWbTFPvovPHjCkVsrfXRG5ceHQT-nD_ucsZ5FHe4OLsK-NQOXRx56etPKYMVR4B0D-ZwYnBnucioKrutnrfILw2zg5b1EwC8cX5sjIkFfXw/s1600/DSCN1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaipSnofuM5tXi1cWu12jgxLBKeC0WDxdEWbTFPvovPHjCkVsrfXRG5ceHQT-nD_ucsZ5FHe4OLsK-NQOXRx56etPKYMVR4B0D-ZwYnBnucioKrutnrfILw2zg5b1EwC8cX5sjIkFfXw/s320/DSCN1046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here we are in a new year...and I have a new word....ACCOMPLISH<br />
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This year I want to stick to my plans and finish some of my mountain of projects. I'm not saying that I can't start anything new, I just want to temper my enthusiasm for new projects and promote the joy of completing some that have been around for awhile. <br />
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My list of things to work on includes...<br />
exercise..I've rejoined the Y and Paige is going to help me with this<br />
piano...Leann is going to help me with this<br />
quilts...of which the above clover top is only one.....<br />
and of course, playing...It's so much fun that the kids are getting a little older and we can actually "play". I love games and they are so great at imaginative play, and it's still cool for them to play with me, so I better enjoy it while I can.<br />
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Here's to a great 2012 where lots of things get accomplished throughout the year!Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-55049548938232800302011-11-10T13:13:00.001-06:002011-11-10T13:36:01.267-06:00Busy season...So why not do more?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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November-December is such a busy time. All the holiday hustle and bustle, at work and at home, should tell me not to take on more projects. But no....I'm knee deep in projects right now. These are my curved rail batik blocks. Pretty, aren't they. I actually won these from <a href="http://blocklotto.blogspot.com/">Block Lotto</a> in September. I'm still waiting on the last of my "winnings" but then I'll be able to play with setting these. They are what is up on my design wall right now.
I imagine it will be awhile before I actually sew them. It's actually kind of relaxing to experiment with rearranging these gorgeous blocks. </div>
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This one, you may remember from a while ago. It is also made from Block Lotto winnings. I am finally in the process of quilting it. I'm hand quilting it, just because if feels like it should be hand quilted. I have some embellishments planned too. It's now on my quilt frame in the living room, so it's easy to do watching television, whenever I have time for that.<br />
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I also am still working on my log cabin quilt from <a href="http://lynbrown.com/">Lyn Brown</a>. It's fabulous, but I can only work on log cabin blocks for a little bit and then I have to go do something different.<br />
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The something different is a mystery quilt from my friend, Cindy. I'm only at the cutting stage, but it's fun to not know where it's going.<br />
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Throw in Thanksgiving plans and Christmas plans, and playing with the kids...and I love love love this season...but it can be rather exhausting. So why shouldn't I take on another quilt along? Thanks, <a href="http://www.thatgirlthatquilt.com/">Jennifer, at That Girl That Quilt,</a> for coming up with a chevron design I just adore. I'll make copies of all the steps, but I imagine I won't actually start this one until after Christmas. In fact, I don't expect any of these projects to be finished by Christmas... I just plan to enjoy the process..and the diversity of them for now.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-89971572058002712772011-10-15T14:01:00.000-05:002011-10-15T14:01:20.420-05:00It's a sad sad day.....Goodbye Texas University....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxVPIBjVNlsEFZ_tmn5QRvSEZmsgwyRLL-gQQ-AExXCALHH7_7eaZBQdWVhcLNfAcijcmpn_pQoP5or1tdlCSUybCJ9qAZDonfkC3PjUBeDp8FMR8C_K550TQuumHMXKKO1rbFbRzuw/s1600/a%2526m+football.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxVPIBjVNlsEFZ_tmn5QRvSEZmsgwyRLL-gQQ-AExXCALHH7_7eaZBQdWVhcLNfAcijcmpn_pQoP5or1tdlCSUybCJ9qAZDonfkC3PjUBeDp8FMR8C_K550TQuumHMXKKO1rbFbRzuw/s400/a%2526m+football.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I know college football is a business.<br />
I know college football is all about money and politics.<br />
I understand that money and politics led Texas to its television deal.<br />
I understand that it was difficult for Texas A&M to recruit given what Texas had to offer kids.<br />
I understand that is one of the main reasons A&M wanted to switch to the SEC<br />
<br />
but.....<br />
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That being said, I think college football is also about tradition and rivalries. With all the conference swapping, a lot a traditional rivalries are falling by the wayside. That's sad...but none quite as sad as Texas announcing that they do not have room in their schedule for the Texas-Texas A&M game.<br />
<br />
What?????<br />
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Texas and Texas A&M have been playing the traditional rivalry game on or near Thanksgiving day forever. I know my family has personally followed that rivalry for close to 100 years, sometimes quite heatedly with people supported both schools. I'm sure I have relatives rolling over in their graves with this announcement. Why would that game not have already been penciled in on everyone's schedule on or near Thanksgiving day well into the future?<br />
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The timing of Texas sudden "full schedule" looks like sour grapes and political games to me. I guess the A&M fight song is just becoming more and more literal. After all, it starts out "Goodbye to Texas University...."<br />
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It's too bad college football has come to this point. What next?...no Army-Navy game?Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-75141939867881403522011-10-13T08:21:00.002-05:002011-10-13T08:21:32.369-05:00Can you believe Christmas is only 73 days away?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoqrqWXAGbrIMJFb3bzkdvA6OY_v0ktLlBSHVJzYH1n8Fcj8anMmycz5NnZoFqsC9H5Da-Rqx26HHb743wgFGo0hohBKPOmc-A20NOXhlsAKS8TnvjKcWKeePNMgRfPCQVSwwfrMicA/s1600/joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoqrqWXAGbrIMJFb3bzkdvA6OY_v0ktLlBSHVJzYH1n8Fcj8anMmycz5NnZoFqsC9H5Da-Rqx26HHb743wgFGo0hohBKPOmc-A20NOXhlsAKS8TnvjKcWKeePNMgRfPCQVSwwfrMicA/s1600/joy.jpg" /></a></div>
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I saw that number and panic set in...but wait...no need to panic. I've been buying things, taking advantage of sales and what ever since last Christmas. The problem is now, I don't know what I've bought or made, and who for. I need to go dig the stuff out, sort it, and take stock. There are several gifts I want to make. I still have time, right?<br />
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Deep cleansing breaths. That's what's called for right now. The next 73 days are going to be crazy, with a major remodel at work thrown in to all the regular Holiday hustle and bustle. I love holidays, but I think the big trick now, is to make them fun, but not to overdo at the same time.<br />
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My geese are dressed for Halloween. So I'm off to a good start.<br />
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May the Spirit be with you!!!!Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-90173552024987980862011-08-29T13:15:00.001-05:002011-08-29T13:15:09.103-05:00A Reflection On TimeI read an interesting <a href="http://www.sunset.com/travel/anne-lamott-how-to-find-time-00418000067331/">article by Anne Lamott</a> the other day, that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. (If you don't know who Anne Lamott is, she's a writer and she teaches classes in creative writing as well.) It was all about time and how it is so hard to find the time to do things we want to do. How crazy is that? If we really want to do something, we should be able to find the time. Right? <br />
<br />
Well, I have to admit, I have a huge "to do" list that only seems to grow longer and longer. I was on vacation last week, with a goal of accomplishing all those little things that have been on my list for way too long. I'll admit, I caught a cold in the middle of my week and it set me back. I don't know about you, but I really don't want to do much of anything when I don't feel good. I did, however, manage to get some of the things crossed off my list. Most of them didn't really take much time either. But then it dawned on me, that I had found it necessary to use my vacation to get these things done....and some of them were "wants" not "have tos". That's just plain crazy.<br />
<br />
What has happened to us that we are so caught up in the day to day that we have trouble stopping to smell the roses? My daughter found a sign she wants for her kitchen. It says something like: 'Pardon the mess, memories are being made'. I want to go shout that message from all the rooftops.<br />
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The article that started all this thinking asked some key questions to help us find time such as: Do we really need to watch 30 minutes of news ever day? As a former news producer I first found this to be an horrendous idea. But then I thought, is it really necessary to be caught up on all the robberies and fires? Would we be okay if instead of watching the news, we worked on a creative project, or played with our kids? How about what time we get up in the morning? If we get up 10 minutes earlier, will we really notice the difference other than have10 minutes to for instance pack our lunch, instead of hitting the snack machine during our lunch break. I know many people find facebook and twitter fun, but do we really need to post and check status updates several times throughout the day?<br />
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The <a href="http://www.flylady.net/">Flylady</a> website starts people organizing their messy houses by using bits of 15 minutes at a time. It works. So why can't we use the same 15 minutes to be creative, do projects, or just have fun?<br />
<br />
August is just about over. Perhaps the Dog Days of Summer add to our lack of productivity at times, or is "it's too hot" just another excuse. As for me, I'm ready to manage my time better. Wish me luck.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-5205857781716069952011-08-06T20:52:00.000-05:002011-08-06T20:52:24.120-05:0031 days of change
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It is said that to give a habit a month, and you can keep it forever. I don't know if I believe that, as I've started many things and stuck with them for a month only to have them fizzle after awhile longer. But I think it's a worthwhile endeavor, none the less.</div>
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Last year a group of bloggers got together to do 31 days of blogging. Here are some of the topics/bloggers that committed to writing for the month of October:</div>
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:: 31 Days to Stress-Free Entertaining from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sandy</st1:place></st1:city> at The Reluctant Entertainer</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:: 31 Days to a
Better Photo from Darcy at Life With My 3 Boybarians</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:: 31 Days to More
with Less from Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:: 31 Days of Autumn
Bliss from Melissa at The Inspired Room</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:: 31 Days of Living
Simply from Emily at Remodeling This Life</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:: 31 Days of Grace
from Emily at Chatting at the Sky</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:: 31 Days to an
Inspired Table from Kendra at My First Kitchen </div>
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Some of the topics were of interest to me and I followed along with Jen, Melissa and Emily. The others I admit I never read. Well, the group is doing it again this October, with the overall theme being 31 days of change. There is an interesting caveat they've offered this time, and that is to allow other bloggers to link to this party.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUr0I8EUW5vz73VjOP2vLv-f9YEiUpf0W923bly19GaLbnHzxlWYpsalSJorJwbRBxMW6IOZZsccVIieYlC1fEWSN5mlMQZYqbBGwg8_cFPnshUjx3tHZ8gx7SB8M6TQ1asz4LWXcPQ/s1600/31+days+of+change.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUr0I8EUW5vz73VjOP2vLv-f9YEiUpf0W923bly19GaLbnHzxlWYpsalSJorJwbRBxMW6IOZZsccVIieYlC1fEWSN5mlMQZYqbBGwg8_cFPnshUjx3tHZ8gx7SB8M6TQ1asz4LWXcPQ/s320/31+days+of+change.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm seriously considering doing this. I think a commitment of a blog a day for a month would be good for me. I've thought about topics, and in doing so, I've thought about what I personally would like to work on. Afterall, I don't have very many readers (mostly just friends and family) and I blog primarily for my own creative/emotional outlet, whatever that means. Anyway, the topic I'm considering is something that I know very well, but it is also always elusive...and that is creativity and ways to expand our creative souls. What do you think? Should I do it? I suppose you'll find out if my courage, time and patience matches by ideas and desires come October 1 when you will or won't see my first post of 31 days. </div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-8243130801772689902011-07-30T07:34:00.000-05:002011-07-30T07:34:41.095-05:00While Mom's Away.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVREEgtDdfSD6SsYBKtC_BxdgZ8Ziu7pyEzQyXgKE8l9uUdAr3wgJ2n8SYipGOleu08u4JdHk3OVAzLEBqgZwFXIDzxB5oPmAkPEJZ4ZDidBIJ-U7Ax_vivZEWs2N-CvB2fTJg8Z6Yw/s1600/DSCN0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVREEgtDdfSD6SsYBKtC_BxdgZ8Ziu7pyEzQyXgKE8l9uUdAr3wgJ2n8SYipGOleu08u4JdHk3OVAzLEBqgZwFXIDzxB5oPmAkPEJZ4ZDidBIJ-U7Ax_vivZEWs2N-CvB2fTJg8Z6Yw/s320/DSCN0850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While Mom's away...the kids will play...and play...and play.<br />
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Paige is at a conference for TOT for three days, so I get to play with the girls. We have:<br />
Drawn with chalk all over the patio<br />
Played dress up (Mallory especially likes the women's shoes)<br />
The big girls and I drove to Silver Dollar City for breakfast with Tom and Jerry. That was an exceptionally big deal for Mackenzie as she is obsessed with the cartoons. The girls got lots of personal attention from the big mouse and cat and did a lot of dancing. Who knew Tom and Jerry were dancers?<br />
While at Silver Dollar City, we weren't going to do any rides or anything, but we couldn't resist stopping to see the animals, drawing on the slate at the school, or playing with the giant building blocks. On the way out, the cloggers were starting their performance. You can't pass cloggers! Morgan got to go up on stage and dance with the cloggers too.<br />
Today we have our cousin camp with the boys. We're painting fairy houses and going on a scavenger hunt and jumping on a trampoline....and who knows what else.<br />
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I'll have to go back to work to rest up from my vacation. I don't remember playing as being so exhausting....but it's been loads of fun and the kids have been great.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-23496302433327206732011-06-23T07:30:00.000-05:002011-06-23T07:30:33.385-05:00Lazy hazy summer...not!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJz_GRuL7QhI88OUnLv_YqtZ3KVxFF1VXPV0YcDodjtyoLAoLDB3nnl6-riqAHkAk4jbXMa-TNVSz0FqE2vxBMKSjlPUoBkYoeSERoWBVesss8R3a9XeFeRbHNcdO2ewBje1pH6GpSg/s1600/DSCN0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJz_GRuL7QhI88OUnLv_YqtZ3KVxFF1VXPV0YcDodjtyoLAoLDB3nnl6-riqAHkAk4jbXMa-TNVSz0FqE2vxBMKSjlPUoBkYoeSERoWBVesss8R3a9XeFeRbHNcdO2ewBje1pH6GpSg/s320/DSCN0741.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Summer is by far my favorite season of the year. It always has been. I'm sure not having school was a big factor in creating this feeling when I was a kid. I love the hot weather, wearing shorts and flip flops. The problem is there is soooo much to do in the summer. And that doesn't include my every-lengthening to-do list for things around the house. <br />
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But then I saw Morgan and Mackenzie after their t-ball game. To see them chatting, sitting on the grass, enjoying their juice drinks made me realize what summer is all about. It also made me see that we busy adults need to take the time to enjoy little bits of relaxation when we can. As they say "every little bit helps".<br />
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I think I'll go sit outside with my coffee and just watch the dogs play and listen to the waterfall for a few minutes. Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-74007153551155923972011-05-06T11:44:00.001-05:002011-05-06T11:45:32.731-05:00Quilting tidbits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdGNBv5aXZ8RPnBob1ewQieLIfrEvuWL2WteR9RmHGGAjLniC1l8ZOrS1TDep8a9b5nXiHBq3kqqszr4YtqUcc5DnNQE05NIjjymC355Md11QGMW5aG0QAARmTvNU57u9m3jo-4FHkQ/s1600/DSCN0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdGNBv5aXZ8RPnBob1ewQieLIfrEvuWL2WteR9RmHGGAjLniC1l8ZOrS1TDep8a9b5nXiHBq3kqqszr4YtqUcc5DnNQE05NIjjymC355Md11QGMW5aG0QAARmTvNU57u9m3jo-4FHkQ/s320/DSCN0671.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
First of all, I have to tell you, that I am incredibly lucky. I actually won the <a href="http://blocklotto.blogspot.com/">Block Lotto</a> again this month. Two months in a row! That is amazing. In April, 50 quilters made 372 Modern Clover blocks–enough for eight winners and one of those winners was me! Aren't these little flower blocks cute? The block was designed by one of my cyber-quilting friends, Kate. She plays Block Lotto but she also is the brains behind my Stay-at-home-Robin. I will be setting these on point, and I think I'll space them with small borders. Very exciting.<br />
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This is the block for May. They're calling it pineapple blossom. It's scrappy but if you look closely, every block has two grey squares and two yellow or gold squares. Those are the unifying colors that every quilter will be using. They make for a subtle and warm constant that I think will be great. I'll be donating my blocks this month as I have both the disappearing 4 patch and now the modern clover quilts to finish.<br />
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Oh boy!Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-86987304036804363962011-04-01T08:05:00.001-05:002011-04-01T08:06:18.392-05:00I won!!!!While reading through e-mails, I shout out "Oh boy, I won!!!" My husband comes around the corner quickly to see what the excitement is about. I won the <a href="http://blocklotto.blogspot.com/">Block Lotto</a>! for March. He was not nearly as thrilled as I was. OK, it's not money, but it's almost as good.<br />
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We made disappearing four patch blocks in red and white and I love this block. It will make a gorgeous quilt. I also feel so honored to be getting blocks from so many other sewers. I could not duplicate this scrappy quilt on my own. There's no way I could accumulate that many different fabrics. I'll be getting 43 blocks, plus the 6 I made myself. Isn't that exciting?<br />
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This is the second time I've won, so I really didn't expect it. I'm so happy. Thank you all you Block Lotto quilters.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-89488504730260026322011-03-27T16:28:00.000-05:002011-03-27T16:28:22.232-05:00Life ThoughtsWe so underestimate the value of life at times. I have been reminded of how precious our time is this week.<br />
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One of my grandkids just celebrated his third birthday. It was a great time and seeing all 5 grandkids playing is pure joy. The oldest is going to be 5 soon. My own kids don't remember my parents at all. My mother was gone before either of them were born, and my father died when my oldest was only 3. I am so thankful that I have made it past those anniversaries of death. I intend to see lots more birthdays, and I want to try to appreciate every little moment I spend with any of them.<br />
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One of my friends' mother ended up in the hospital last week. She's having some problems and will require extra help from her family. She is fortunate to have her family near to help her, and they are blessed to have her still in their lives.<br />
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Then the sister of one of my friends lost her boyfriend suddenly in an accident. They were looking forward to a lifetime of memories that now will never happen. My heart goes out to her and their families. Anytime someone dies young, it seems that we are all cheated out of what could be.<br />
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Then, in between these events that I consider major in people's lives, I have stumbled upon various bits of drama over nothing. Why do we spend so much time and energy on unimportant trivia?<br />
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Look around at your family and friends. They deserve your best attention.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6881316406374046047.post-15964065025639607262011-03-03T08:05:00.000-06:002011-03-03T08:05:48.226-06:00Warning...Political Rant....I am so disappointed at the Supreme Court ruling in favor of Fred Phelps, I could just cry.<br />
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For those of you not familiar with Mr. Phelps' clan and the Westboro Baptist Church, let me offer a brief explanation. Phelps' group belies that gays are a sin against humanity. They think the Americans being killed in the war in Afghanistan and Iraq are dying because of God's wrath against gays in America. So, they have chosen to speak out about this issue. Where do they take their protest? They picket funerals of servicemen who died in combat in these wars. The idea is preposterous.<br />
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First of all, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have nothing to do with gays. These soldiers whose graves are being picketed are not known to be gay.<br />
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The Supreme Court ruled 8 to 1 that the Phelps clan has the constitutional right to freedom of speech and can picket. OK...I get free speech. But there is also the inherent right, no responsibility, to respect another person. The poor families of these servicemen are grieving. They have lost their love ones, often very young people to a horrible death. Why degrade these young people and their ultimate service to their country?<br />
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Pick some other place to protest. One's rights to protest should not infringe on another person's rights to a dignified funeral. Why can't we show a little respect, courtesy, and empathy to people in their time of sorrow?Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200243274301031963noreply@blogger.com3