tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79597779940242635352024-03-13T19:51:50.378-04:00Montie's Mom Talks TurkeyA mom's musings on life, death, GOD, quilting, sewing, reading, writing, & homeschooling... Did I leave anything out??Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-84581141248917823002013-01-31T19:06:00.001-05:002013-01-31T19:06:55.282-05:00The Last Post Here<div style="text-align: center;">
Howdy! If you're here visiting & not finding much going on, you're right, there hasn't been much going on!! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not only did Christmas slam into me & keep the workload hot & heavy, but I ran out of picture storage on this blog. This was all happening at the end of the year, when I look to revamp my blog and/or switch my "lists" to the new year. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But heading toward the end of 2012 had me debating switching blogs. No, not because I'm cheap & didn't want to pay for the upgrade ...well I AM cheap & didn't want to pay for the upgrade ....but this wasn't the primary reason. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you want to read more on the WHY & keep up with the upcoming finished quilts & projects, I'd love for you to follow me over here at my new blog, <a href="http://longarmlady.blogspot.com/">The Longarm Lady</a>. In fact, I'll miss you if you don't!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope you're all having a Happy New Year!</div>
Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-82160958102777241992012-11-19T17:53:00.000-05:002012-11-19T17:53:03.600-05:00Weekly Works<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Modern Pastel Top; QUILTED Puzzle Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41dmbw5XGhQ/UKqohiwwwaI/AAAAAAAABMU/2CeCw_6H8LY/s1600/IMG_2430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41dmbw5XGhQ/UKqohiwwwaI/AAAAAAAABMU/2CeCw_6H8LY/s320/IMG_2430.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Autumn 10-Patch on Point Top; QUILTED Bubble Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wHVTz4fa_ZA/UKqomwnFMII/AAAAAAAABMc/AXrShp18qEw/s1600/IMG_2437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wHVTz4fa_ZA/UKqomwnFMII/AAAAAAAABMc/AXrShp18qEw/s320/IMG_2437.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4MEaWZOuvo/UKqoq23qk3I/AAAAAAAABMk/FEEzVgWliQA/s1600/IMG_2438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4MEaWZOuvo/UKqoq23qk3I/AAAAAAAABMk/FEEzVgWliQA/s320/IMG_2438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Purple & Pink Pinwheel Top; QUILTED with Swirly Curls (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqTm231NSHc/UKqpR3boBpI/AAAAAAAABMs/lCllXxQnPQQ/s1600/IMG_2472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqTm231NSHc/UKqpR3boBpI/AAAAAAAABMs/lCllXxQnPQQ/s320/IMG_2472.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZCjqk9cDYM/UKqpXG8nUSI/AAAAAAAABM0/m3Qq9fx1VBw/s1600/IMG_2475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZCjqk9cDYM/UKqpXG8nUSI/AAAAAAAABM0/m3Qq9fx1VBw/s320/IMG_2475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pansy Block Top; QUILTED Triple Loop Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2GyTQiowrGA/UKqpcn2H5GI/AAAAAAAABM8/JZXUyAx1LLs/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2GyTQiowrGA/UKqpcn2H5GI/AAAAAAAABM8/JZXUyAx1LLs/s320/IMG_2477.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jm4aqWtAvOY/UKqph-rkrZI/AAAAAAAABNE/IRG8TaX53s8/s1600/IMG_2482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jm4aqWtAvOY/UKqph-rkrZI/AAAAAAAABNE/IRG8TaX53s8/s320/IMG_2482.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-54163062473842205712012-11-08T09:00:00.000-05:002012-11-11T21:31:28.432-05:00Infant Football Blankets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just a quick peek at what I worked on during an unexpected free day! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I made them for my cousin to give as gifts. As I understand it, the mom is expecting twins so one blanket is Buffalo Bills fabric & the other is Miami Dolphins fabric. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BNq0NDmTxeU/UJmzpI4wDfI/AAAAAAAABLg/-ZyXCZmXNEI/s1600/IMG_2269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BNq0NDmTxeU/UJmzpI4wDfI/AAAAAAAABLg/-ZyXCZmXNEI/s320/IMG_2269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgRsV-yfoQk/UJmztZn0WkI/AAAAAAAABLo/DY2Kh81FuLo/s1600/IMG_2270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgRsV-yfoQk/UJmztZn0WkI/AAAAAAAABLo/DY2Kh81FuLo/s320/IMG_2270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqoAD_lNlS0/UJmzwgF_8yI/AAAAAAAABLw/v2ZYzJ6hS0U/s1600/IMG_2271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqoAD_lNlS0/UJmzwgF_8yI/AAAAAAAABLw/v2ZYzJ6hS0U/s320/IMG_2271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope you're all doing alright post Hurricane Sandy & the Presidential Election..</div>
Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-18466586264029907482012-11-05T15:32:00.000-05:002012-11-05T15:32:29.264-05:00Recent Quilt Finishes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A few finishes:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Modern Gray Top; QUILTED with Bubble Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OU3_3Im8D7c/UJaB0xdGowI/AAAAAAAABJY/UlI9XcMpJxU/s1600/IMG_1925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OU3_3Im8D7c/UJaB0xdGowI/AAAAAAAABJY/UlI9XcMpJxU/s320/IMG_1925.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCZmE-EDOag/UJaB5YLOdnI/AAAAAAAABJg/7wG_O2uszG8/s1600/IMG_1927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCZmE-EDOag/UJaB5YLOdnI/AAAAAAAABJg/7wG_O2uszG8/s320/IMG_1927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Egg Money Top; QUILTED Custom (freehand, SID, ruler)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnxqOEtS-rM/UJaB95G1cdI/AAAAAAAABJo/FsUdt2nV5yQ/s1600/IMG_2186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnxqOEtS-rM/UJaB95G1cdI/AAAAAAAABJo/FsUdt2nV5yQ/s320/IMG_2186.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_gLiBv-9I0/UJaCB8XmZBI/AAAAAAAABJw/8boVrYqBB3U/s1600/IMG_2187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_gLiBv-9I0/UJaCB8XmZBI/AAAAAAAABJw/8boVrYqBB3U/s320/IMG_2187.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B1BW6q4Iz0U/UJaLSS8ViaI/AAAAAAAABKU/fUi4JVmVlxk/s1600/IMG_2193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B1BW6q4Iz0U/UJaLSS8ViaI/AAAAAAAABKU/fUi4JVmVlxk/s320/IMG_2193.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzPOEG_0pdk/UJaLXcr1ihI/AAAAAAAABKc/ZjW46k_2fSA/s1600/IMG_2199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzPOEG_0pdk/UJaLXcr1ihI/AAAAAAAABKc/ZjW46k_2fSA/s320/IMG_2199.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KIBWef9f0u4/UJaLdA_LHGI/AAAAAAAABKk/PFqjWJwMG9Y/s1600/IMG_2201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KIBWef9f0u4/UJaLdA_LHGI/AAAAAAAABKk/PFqjWJwMG9Y/s320/IMG_2201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gq2MDdoZJNs/UJaLoVet-EI/AAAAAAAABK0/nwmC1_bJIzI/s1600/IMG_2203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gq2MDdoZJNs/UJaLoVet-EI/AAAAAAAABK0/nwmC1_bJIzI/s320/IMG_2203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Intertwined Christmas Strips Top; QUILTED SID</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mxnDUzSZQRw/UJaLtALJGLI/AAAAAAAABK8/I2Zxi3vVhWc/s1600/IMG_2215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mxnDUzSZQRw/UJaLtALJGLI/AAAAAAAABK8/I2Zxi3vVhWc/s320/IMG_2215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
In other news, my blogger won't let me upload any pictures without upgrading my picasa account, so I guess I'll have to look into this. I'm still not sure what this means because I'm mostly computer illiterate. Is there some outer space holding album they're referring to where all my blogger pics are stored? This is all I can surmise in quick fashion & making a guess.<br />
<br />
More news includes the proclamation that we have NOT flooded during Hurricane Sandy. I'll admit to feeling guilty for being so happy about this, while others have been so devastated by her effects.<br />
<br />
And last, but definitely not least, I took my 16 year old daughter & her best friend to see Justin Bieber in concert last night. Such entertainment... I was beaming & giggling off/on the whole time listening to the girls screaming & seeing the absolute joy on my child's face. There aren't a lot of times that true joy radiates outward, but music seems to set our hearts free, so last night was JOY FILLED.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-34021876500520151882012-10-22T21:47:00.000-04:002012-10-22T21:47:10.487-04:00Two Blues & Two Finishes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Two of the gals from the shop I quilt for, <a href="http://www.stitchcraftpa.com/">Stitch & Craft</a>, entered their quilts & both won blue ribbons! As I understand it, there wasn't a longarm quilting category, so my name isn't on them, but I did quilt them & so I was pretty excited to be a part of the process :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ladybugs pieced by Erika. Other pics can been seen here: <a href="http://montiesmomtalksturkey.blogspot.com/2012/09/will-try-to-keep-this-short.html">Ladybugs & Hearts</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtgIG1z8AIA/UIQFMSqMITI/AAAAAAAABII/t2ybS0kjWco/s1600/ribbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtgIG1z8AIA/UIQFMSqMITI/AAAAAAAABII/t2ybS0kjWco/s320/ribbon.jpg" width="159" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bright Rectangles pieced by Joanna.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xTJg6h5NPmg/UIQHGi3EgqI/AAAAAAAABIw/YRdiqtrGejs/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xTJg6h5NPmg/UIQHGi3EgqI/AAAAAAAABIw/YRdiqtrGejs/s320/IMG_2103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I had a couple that I finished this week too:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Geese & Pink Blocks Top; QUILTED custom (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSXBrx5jIa0/UIQG3L3ZwRI/AAAAAAAABIY/AI3zZcJ8jFI/s1600/IMG_2076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSXBrx5jIa0/UIQG3L3ZwRI/AAAAAAAABIY/AI3zZcJ8jFI/s320/IMG_2076.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yOvl3kG0sEM/UIQGxV1OkxI/AAAAAAAABIQ/I17X_SNNeRQ/s1600/IMG_2075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yOvl3kG0sEM/UIQGxV1OkxI/AAAAAAAABIQ/I17X_SNNeRQ/s320/IMG_2075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Autumn 10-Patch on Point Top; QUILTED with Bubble Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-TaxCmpL2o/UIQG9pT0S4I/AAAAAAAABIg/uUhcTq43Ivo/s1600/IMG_2084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-TaxCmpL2o/UIQG9pT0S4I/AAAAAAAABIg/uUhcTq43Ivo/s320/IMG_2084.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NPi2PingIPQ/UIQHChZtEqI/AAAAAAAABIo/oMKkYXdRzyw/s1600/IMG_2086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NPi2PingIPQ/UIQHChZtEqI/AAAAAAAABIo/oMKkYXdRzyw/s320/IMG_2086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing too exciting going on here this week. Lots of quilting, schooling & some visiting with friends. My older daughter had a friend visit from Georgia a couple times, and I hosted a Creative Caper in my home for some of my favorite peeps on Friday. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope to catch up with y'all soon. Piece-out! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(get it... piece... as in sewing/piecing... yeah, I know, I'm a dork!)</div>
<br />Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-56989654435031237802012-10-14T22:02:00.000-04:002012-10-14T22:02:23.099-04:00"Eventful" Week & 1 Quilt<div style="text-align: center;">
Autumn is cruising right along, wouldn't you say? We've turned the heat on & are seeing the leaves starting to change colors here in Pennsylvania. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Since I last wrote my girls have helped keep things "eventful" as I hinted at in the title. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The younger daughter, Morgan, looked very grown up going to homecoming with a boyfriend this year: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sq8vZZP8HsY/UHtoJH94f0I/AAAAAAAABHM/SN5XPlfoVkQ/s1600/IMG_1965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sq8vZZP8HsY/UHtoJH94f0I/AAAAAAAABHM/SN5XPlfoVkQ/s320/IMG_1965.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This at least was a fun thing! Later in the week, Maegan, the older daughter, dropped her phone in a bucket of water, and her car died on her TWICE. Morgan followed up by dropping her phone in the shower. Yep, you read that right... in. the. shower. (And yes I mean while she was IN the shower!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We just had a generally spastic week. Electronics were on the fritz left & right, our school days weren't going quite as planned, and I was constantly behind schedule on quilting. Just one of those weeks...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did get this quick quilt worked in before I started on another custom one that isn't done to show yet: </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Baskets & Blocks Top; QUILTED with Leafy Swirl (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mgzi1OpuwtY/UHtqcdKLanI/AAAAAAAABHc/xzxI2vqllCY/s1600/IMG_2032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mgzi1OpuwtY/UHtqcdKLanI/AAAAAAAABHc/xzxI2vqllCY/s320/IMG_2032.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aG_GNXZ1Gto/UHtqXSbfYEI/AAAAAAAABHU/nfvnto4Xzi8/s1600/IMG_2031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aG_GNXZ1Gto/UHtqXSbfYEI/AAAAAAAABHU/nfvnto4Xzi8/s320/IMG_2031.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We did manage to leave some time for fun in between the annoyances life was handing us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Monday the kids carved pumpkins: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pamO9p4nGDA/UHtspEsYMBI/AAAAAAAABHk/Vwy3jOX6Mrc/s1600/IMG_2008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pamO9p4nGDA/UHtspEsYMBI/AAAAAAAABHk/Vwy3jOX6Mrc/s320/IMG_2008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And Thursday we had a bit of fun with our school day & visited <a href="http://jenspotteryden.com/">Jen's Pottery Den</a> to paint some pottery. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We got to browse a used book store nearby too, which is always fun for us bookworms! (not that you look like a worm, Morgan; it's just a figure of speech...heehee)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To end our week, the girls & I went to see Pitch Perfect. Did anyone else see it? I enjoyed it but will have to admit it wasn't *quite* as good as I was expecting. Is it just me?? Or maybe it had more to do with my sour mood that evening (it was a looooong-feeling week.) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's hoping the upcoming week will be slightly more productive...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-2246407545976116902012-10-07T20:28:00.000-04:002012-10-07T20:39:04.861-04:00My Quilting Masterpiece<div style="text-align: center;">
A.K.A. Star Spin </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pieced by <a href="http://www.stitchcraftpa.com/">Stitch & Craft</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quilted ~ by me!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Full Frontal (why does that sound dirty??)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wACnYI6o49c/UHIZFk4n-wI/AAAAAAAABEw/DaimyaTCBaE/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wACnYI6o49c/UHIZFk4n-wI/AAAAAAAABEw/DaimyaTCBaE/s320/IMG_1885.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most of the back view</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8f_on4r4SQ/UHIZKo53ouI/AAAAAAAABE4/cMKGD5Sypww/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8f_on4r4SQ/UHIZKo53ouI/AAAAAAAABE4/cMKGD5Sypww/s320/IMG_1894.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A little closer of the back view</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yX9gBFbAnNM/UHIZQPqAIYI/AAAAAAAABFA/M1Y_2HGpquA/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yX9gBFbAnNM/UHIZQPqAIYI/AAAAAAAABFA/M1Y_2HGpquA/s320/IMG_1895.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSbk16AVC38/UHIZYwf1LJI/AAAAAAAABFQ/LUbHWWwInpU/s1600/IMG_3549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSbk16AVC38/UHIZYwf1LJI/AAAAAAAABFQ/LUbHWWwInpU/s320/IMG_3549.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Showcases "McTavishing" Technique - Front</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUsFM4V5KP4/UHIZd6kzsII/AAAAAAAABFY/NoYQ1dvP0qY/s1600/IMG_3553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUsFM4V5KP4/UHIZd6kzsII/AAAAAAAABFY/NoYQ1dvP0qY/s320/IMG_3553.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Meandering Paisleys - Front</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYzi2ubWYLk/UHIZhcscICI/AAAAAAAABFg/1prrDE7T_7U/s1600/IMG_3554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYzi2ubWYLk/UHIZhcscICI/AAAAAAAABFg/1prrDE7T_7U/s320/IMG_3554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Paisleys on back</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEgQy4BG_9g/UHIaC0P3_JI/AAAAAAAABGY/H-ynWbzIxAI/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEgQy4BG_9g/UHIaC0P3_JI/AAAAAAAABGY/H-ynWbzIxAI/s320/IMG_3578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1CqCCzI9c0/UHIZ0jnP17I/AAAAAAAABGA/NNpMGLBhjn0/s1600/IMG_3569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1CqCCzI9c0/UHIZ0jnP17I/AAAAAAAABGA/NNpMGLBhjn0/s320/IMG_3569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Star center is done with Freehand Victorian Feathers - Front</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vqNdxfOZn4/UHIZmU9iGJI/AAAAAAAABFo/R2AxgkpbOeU/s1600/IMG_3555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vqNdxfOZn4/UHIZmU9iGJI/AAAAAAAABFo/R2AxgkpbOeU/s320/IMG_3555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Feathers & McTavishing - Back</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N5bnYfXTDdY/UHIZ4puISxI/AAAAAAAABGI/pJBoNqTvSEU/s1600/IMG_3570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N5bnYfXTDdY/UHIZ4puISxI/AAAAAAAABGI/pJBoNqTvSEU/s320/IMG_3570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Freehand Victorian Feathers - Back</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk9V4tXqQbI/UHIZ9tcKxUI/AAAAAAAABGQ/6QVOoC80btA/s1600/IMG_3572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vk9V4tXqQbI/UHIZ9tcKxUI/AAAAAAAABGQ/6QVOoC80btA/s320/IMG_3572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2S9V59lwSuo/UHIaHwjKLZI/AAAAAAAABGg/p6WzqfvA5as/s1600/IMG_3579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2S9V59lwSuo/UHIaHwjKLZI/AAAAAAAABGg/p6WzqfvA5as/s320/IMG_3579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fYW-Zgq-lzQ/UHIaNIaP-MI/AAAAAAAABGo/zml-5hodbP4/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fYW-Zgq-lzQ/UHIaNIaP-MI/AAAAAAAABGo/zml-5hodbP4/s320/IMG_3581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This marvelous sucker took me 34 HOURS to quilt! And I must say, though I felt stress from being under a deadline, I thoroughly enjoyed the process.</div>
Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-35326771354575075112012-09-22T20:35:00.000-04:002012-09-22T20:35:20.317-04:00Tea Mat Gift<div style="text-align: center;">
Sewing has actually... FINALLY... occurred! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had to wait to show it, though, since this was for a tea-drinking friend who reads the blog now & then...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzV-L93AKiA/UF5XbpUfYtI/AAAAAAAABD8/WudKYyt4_W0/s1600/IMG_1828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzV-L93AKiA/UF5XbpUfYtI/AAAAAAAABD8/WudKYyt4_W0/s320/IMG_1828.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I even managed to quilt a steaming teacup in the center...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qvFlI1wBLQ/UF5Xh-Up-iI/AAAAAAAABEE/ENascne_SqE/s1600/IMG_1829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qvFlI1wBLQ/UF5Xh-Up-iI/AAAAAAAABEE/ENascne_SqE/s320/IMG_1829.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Three of us hadn't gathered for some time & we exchanged belated birthday gifts. I cannot wait to play my gift:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
STITCHOPOLY!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-FfzbEjvWA/UF5Yu9MrpwI/AAAAAAAABEM/aP2S3KZUPMA/s1600/IMG_1833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-FfzbEjvWA/UF5Yu9MrpwI/AAAAAAAABEM/aP2S3KZUPMA/s320/IMG_1833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm going to make someone play this with me this weekend... mwahahahaha!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-42888668499182554612012-09-20T15:54:00.000-04:002012-09-20T15:57:09.422-04:00Will Try to Keep This Short!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There's been a lot going on in the past month I've ignored my poor blog.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My last post was literally one month ago & we'd just started our gym membership. I'm happy to report that we've kept up going twice a week! One of the many great things about having my built-in work-out partners is that even when one of us doesn't feel like going, someone else will urge the rest on. There's only been once that we came out feeling rough & tired. Usually it's rejuvenating.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My younger daughter decided to return to homeschooling. And I LOVE, love, love the homeschool lifestyle, but the amount of time I had to work with in terms of preparing & planning subjects has left me in a bit of a tizzy. No worries, though, as we're up & running mostly on time & mostly full steam. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Besides working out & school-planning my brains out, I've been quilting. Here are the latest:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wizard Top; QUILTED with Meandering Loops & Stars (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BiCS1him7Ck/UFfVWjjPpVI/AAAAAAAABAc/qGWNyD_VEJE/s1600/IMG_1508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BiCS1him7Ck/UFfVWjjPpVI/AAAAAAAABAc/qGWNyD_VEJE/s320/IMG_1508.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_0BBdCJ2DFY/UFfVbjnVoEI/AAAAAAAABAk/Y6ucLjiWYTQ/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_0BBdCJ2DFY/UFfVbjnVoEI/AAAAAAAABAk/Y6ucLjiWYTQ/s320/IMG_1509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hearts & Squares Top; QUILTED with Puffy Heart Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMTqwUoPXgM/UFfVfQ3m_eI/AAAAAAAABAs/Ri3HhjbE3NU/s1600/IMG_1517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMTqwUoPXgM/UFfVfQ3m_eI/AAAAAAAABAs/Ri3HhjbE3NU/s320/IMG_1517.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gslCRIMyMBY/UFfVjcOwStI/AAAAAAAABA0/HhZCgJHuwX0/s1600/IMG_1518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gslCRIMyMBY/UFfVjcOwStI/AAAAAAAABA0/HhZCgJHuwX0/s320/IMG_1518.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Green Lattice & Yellow Squares Top; QUILTED with Puzzle Piece Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2n51NDKHcs/UFfVnbsPVGI/AAAAAAAABA8/6rG17yclREw/s1600/IMG_1525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2n51NDKHcs/UFfVnbsPVGI/AAAAAAAABA8/6rG17yclREw/s320/IMG_1525.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j6Rjk2CiS6g/UFfVsDhD8uI/AAAAAAAABBE/AI-qsAikxFc/s1600/IMG_1526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j6Rjk2CiS6g/UFfVsDhD8uI/AAAAAAAABBE/AI-qsAikxFc/s320/IMG_1526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Navy & Cream Half-Square Triangle Top; QUILTED with Bubble Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-rwuwTL-Ng/UFfapEcwD0I/AAAAAAAABB0/SBtbY6eHjkM/s1600/IMG_1681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-rwuwTL-Ng/UFfapEcwD0I/AAAAAAAABB0/SBtbY6eHjkM/s320/IMG_1681.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkcALoHHBbg/UFfasl0TWOI/AAAAAAAABB8/vQenbXJYqrs/s1600/IMG_1687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkcALoHHBbg/UFfasl0TWOI/AAAAAAAABB8/vQenbXJYqrs/s320/IMG_1687.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Poinsettia Top; QUILTED with Bubble Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fV6ijTMYlcs/UFfa2EUKBiI/AAAAAAAABCM/v-cB7iFdakc/s1600/IMG_1728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fV6ijTMYlcs/UFfa2EUKBiI/AAAAAAAABCM/v-cB7iFdakc/s320/IMG_1728.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot-tBUlxqJc/UFfaxafm5LI/AAAAAAAABCE/KSV7_pPwIyc/s1600/IMG_1727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot-tBUlxqJc/UFfaxafm5LI/AAAAAAAABCE/KSV7_pPwIyc/s320/IMG_1727.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Blue Floral Panel Top; QUILTED with Butterfly Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-siiViCXceQk/UFttaioPvzI/AAAAAAAABDQ/FpALSAtTBHI/s1600/IMG_1737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-siiViCXceQk/UFttaioPvzI/AAAAAAAABDQ/FpALSAtTBHI/s320/IMG_1737.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mauQv8DsDyI/UFttepQEkiI/AAAAAAAABDY/a9mpwGDi5uQ/s1600/IMG_1738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mauQv8DsDyI/UFttepQEkiI/AAAAAAAABDY/a9mpwGDi5uQ/s320/IMG_1738.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ladybugs & Hearts Top; QUILTED Custom (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8f149FklvvQ/UFfa6GBtoRI/AAAAAAAABCU/c0QnS_tAvUo/s1600/IMG_1771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8f149FklvvQ/UFfa6GBtoRI/AAAAAAAABCU/c0QnS_tAvUo/s320/IMG_1771.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_6AIJDgKPE/UFfa-Ped2HI/AAAAAAAABCc/i4_uq7D8fHo/s1600/IMG_1772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_6AIJDgKPE/UFfa-Ped2HI/AAAAAAAABCc/i4_uq7D8fHo/s320/IMG_1772.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tegfcxbkbms/UFfbBhrBseI/AAAAAAAABCk/zEHyHQbDIVY/s1600/IMG_1773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tegfcxbkbms/UFfbBhrBseI/AAAAAAAABCk/zEHyHQbDIVY/s320/IMG_1773.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Paisley Stars Top; QUILTED with Puzzle Piece Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwI88uvBw-M/UFfbGeobBFI/AAAAAAAABCs/N2SkMGexzac/s1600/IMG_1775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwI88uvBw-M/UFfbGeobBFI/AAAAAAAABCs/N2SkMGexzac/s320/IMG_1775.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My older daughter started her first college class.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWOZ6zcWewQ/UFfX2FU_yKI/AAAAAAAABBM/blebSQUk6tU/s1600/IMG_1607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWOZ6zcWewQ/UFfX2FU_yKI/AAAAAAAABBM/blebSQUk6tU/s320/IMG_1607.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And my younger daughter turned 16.</div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_LMiAAnmCZA/UFfX5Uk8wEI/AAAAAAAABBU/qn19fpN3Qv0/s1600/IMG_1635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_LMiAAnmCZA/UFfX5Uk8wEI/AAAAAAAABBU/qn19fpN3Qv0/s320/IMG_1635.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One other thing I'll mention... a year ago in early September we were cleaning out a muddy, soggy, smelly post-flood mess. I'm so glad we're not dealing with THAT! It seems unreal that it's been a year already though. Time sure does fly...</div>
Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-89149897488454753092012-08-21T09:18:00.001-04:002012-08-21T09:18:10.544-04:00We Work Out!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday marked Day 1 of my return to the gym! Those are my gorgeous girls, Morgan in the foreground & Maegan in the background. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BSO-lHIXS6E/UDLmUkkdaHI/AAAAAAAAA_8/CPRQfRYkXG0/s1600/we+work+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BSO-lHIXS6E/UDLmUkkdaHI/AAAAAAAAA_8/CPRQfRYkXG0/s320/we+work+out.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Can I just say that walking into a gym with your almost 16 & 20 year olds can be just a tad intimidating. Neither of them "needs" the gym, and then my middle-aged bod is walking in between them. Getting old sucks a little, that's all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The last time I set foot in a gym, other than to watch a daughter participate in gymnastics, was over a decade ago. I've done lots of child-lifting, dog-walking, a little running, and lots of general yard/house work since then, but I've noticed a difference in muscle tone these last few years. (Again, the years piling up)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We joined together because generally speaking we travel as a pack. Besides, working out with someone is more fun & more motivating than doing it all by yourself. The plan is to hit the gym twice a week. I figure that's manageable in light of trying to work part time while also homeschooling my 10th grader. Outside of gym time, we're planning to start running regularly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Maybe putting it down in writing here will make me more accountable? Generally speaking I enjoy exercising. Unfortunately, I'm prone to losing momentum once I hit a speed-bump & feel lazy, like when I get sick or some other unforeseen issues crop up, like my house flooding, or injuring my back, or I woke too late, slept wrong, it's sleeting, to much to do...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
On the upside, my bod feels amazingly normal after what probably felt like cruel & unusual punishment to my under-exercised muscles! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
How do you all make time in your busy schedules to do what's good for your bodies? Do you exercise before work, after work, late at night? Our middle-of-the-day plans are unconventional, but since it seems to be what will work for all three of us, we're going with it!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-47953834431987220732012-08-17T08:06:00.000-04:002012-08-17T08:06:51.061-04:00I Blog When the Dog Won't Let Me Sleep...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Poor Smokey has been up four nights in a row needing to "go out" multiple times. But really you all should be saying "poor Denise". There I said it. I'd like a little freakin' sympathy!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Really I'd like it even better if someone else would occasionally take care of the dang dog's needs! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGfbCBIayu8/UC4qpUvPANI/AAAAAAAAA_c/5dtApih1ubE/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGfbCBIayu8/UC4qpUvPANI/AAAAAAAAA_c/5dtApih1ubE/s320/IMG_1265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
To bring the dog "out", I have to navigate through my dark bedroom, through Montie's dark bedroom, down the dimly lit back staircase, use the bathroom, get a drink, pet the cats. traverse the same dark path back up the stairs & through the rooms to deposit Smoke back in his crate in Morgan's room, then go wash my hands from the slobbery lips that just accepted a treat. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Basically he gets rewarded for waking me up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
The utterly impossible thing about it too is that I'm already prone to insomnia. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These tendencies only went away while I had three younger kiddos & I was literally up over night for years on end (NO I'm not exaggerating!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pile upon my mind's natural inclination to not want to sleep enough for the rest of my bod with some major sadness over losing Montie, and I'd gotten myself into a depressive rut. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unisom helped with that... and at least I sleep now. Not a full 7 or 8 hours worth, but enough that I'm not walking around a weepy wreck or like some mega-beotch on a hormonal tirade.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My natural instinct is to be a night-lurker. I've enjoyed feeling the cool morning seeping through my open back door, hearing nothing but the chirping birds & some underlying insect noise, but I especially like the total quiet of 2am. I speculate this has something to do with my hermit-like, anti-social tendencies, welcoming the hours when no one at all expects me to "do" anything for them. (Dang, that sounds a tad selfish & neurotic??)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last night, Smokey had me up at 1:30, 5:15, and then at 6am I grabbed a pillow & blanket, threw the back door open & laid down on the couch. I figured I'd sleep with the door hanging open so he could come & go as needed. Not only was the sun was peeking out by then, but no one was going to creep in past my protector. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To no avail... the birds' songs too exquisite, the unnatural quiet of the house (our bedroom sounds like a wind tunnel between the a/c AND the fan going), the cats going ballistic on the other side of the family room door, and/or my utter irritation at how once I'd come downstairs, Smokey fell asleep on a cushy chair & hasn't moved in 90 minutes have all conspired against me once again & no sleeping has occurred. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-88609561231488183992012-08-12T11:02:00.000-04:002012-08-12T11:04:39.709-04:00Quilting the Days Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bright Rectangle Top; QUILTED with Maze Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWYEj2OsYig/UCfCWH5fOLI/AAAAAAAAA-E/w7fJp5eQDFk/s1600/IMG_1314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWYEj2OsYig/UCfCWH5fOLI/AAAAAAAAA-E/w7fJp5eQDFk/s320/IMG_1314.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRZbBMGfxwo/UCfCamX2owI/AAAAAAAAA-M/f5VXBswIYUk/s1600/IMG_1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRZbBMGfxwo/UCfCamX2owI/AAAAAAAAA-M/f5VXBswIYUk/s320/IMG_1317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Red Stars & Blocks Top; QUILTED with Loopy Stars (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HyQgainPEMs/UCfCevjjY-I/AAAAAAAAA-U/26Eqyny_Itc/s1600/IMG_1320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HyQgainPEMs/UCfCevjjY-I/AAAAAAAAA-U/26Eqyny_Itc/s320/IMG_1320.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Embroidered Snow People Top; QUILTED SID around blocks and freehand Snowflakes in the border</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWANZM9vgJA/UCfCik4GxeI/AAAAAAAAA-c/UeRetZnP1aA/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWANZM9vgJA/UCfCik4GxeI/AAAAAAAAA-c/UeRetZnP1aA/s320/IMG_1333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ba4X_DfccT8/UCfCozLDYTI/AAAAAAAAA-k/MVRheFBHs84/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ba4X_DfccT8/UCfCozLDYTI/AAAAAAAAA-k/MVRheFBHs84/s320/IMG_1334.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blue, Orange & White Around the World Top; QUILTED with (new pattern) Bubble Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NjoY7fa1eWs/UCfC000uaII/AAAAAAAAA-0/mg0Lg3LTtoI/s1600/IMG_1423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NjoY7fa1eWs/UCfC000uaII/AAAAAAAAA-0/mg0Lg3LTtoI/s320/IMG_1423.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A013t1gTd9E/UCfC5ZFp_tI/AAAAAAAAA-8/8FJVmTP7APo/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A013t1gTd9E/UCfC5ZFp_tI/AAAAAAAAA-8/8FJVmTP7APo/s320/IMG_1424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0YojBStmsNw/UCfCvyj-0FI/AAAAAAAAA-s/fvBk_nsCO6g/s1600/IMG_1421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0YojBStmsNw/UCfCvyj-0FI/AAAAAAAAA-s/fvBk_nsCO6g/s320/IMG_1421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're having the most beautiful day here in Lancaster County. The weather couldn't be any better! It's lovely having the backdoor hanging open listening to the birds...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-59013028222321348672012-07-29T10:07:00.000-04:002012-07-29T10:12:39.442-04:00Finishes & Finds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Monster Applique Top; QUILTED Custom (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had to post pics of every monster. They're adorable!! LOVE this quilt & can't help wondering who the lucky little one is?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cLFaUgA8BFM/UBU3zqptoRI/AAAAAAAAA4k/21Cu5RNlSwk/s1600/IMG_1163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cLFaUgA8BFM/UBU3zqptoRI/AAAAAAAAA4k/21Cu5RNlSwk/s320/IMG_1163.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25YQeFDWfpU/UBU33p1tIGI/AAAAAAAAA4s/cLGwr7fF8Ms/s1600/IMG_1166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25YQeFDWfpU/UBU33p1tIGI/AAAAAAAAA4s/cLGwr7fF8Ms/s320/IMG_1166.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_GrigVSyNk/UBU37NIQ7xI/AAAAAAAAA40/HyRoMOAc7F4/s1600/IMG_1168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_GrigVSyNk/UBU37NIQ7xI/AAAAAAAAA40/HyRoMOAc7F4/s320/IMG_1168.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUnycLVO9Fo/UBU3-1QQ_nI/AAAAAAAAA48/8s742g5OGss/s1600/IMG_1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUnycLVO9Fo/UBU3-1QQ_nI/AAAAAAAAA48/8s742g5OGss/s320/IMG_1169.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0Oa5QMCzUI/UBU4C7P1MUI/AAAAAAAAA5E/S8SfImWiS4E/s1600/IMG_1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0Oa5QMCzUI/UBU4C7P1MUI/AAAAAAAAA5E/S8SfImWiS4E/s320/IMG_1170.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5O8FSbnI2o/UBU4HCTnlOI/AAAAAAAAA5M/zSEoICnYGME/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5O8FSbnI2o/UBU4HCTnlOI/AAAAAAAAA5M/zSEoICnYGME/s320/IMG_1171.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9cYd9HpAcbA/UBU4LIis05I/AAAAAAAAA5U/X1NASsOD7hY/s1600/IMG_1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9cYd9HpAcbA/UBU4LIis05I/AAAAAAAAA5U/X1NASsOD7hY/s320/IMG_1172.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3K7kxIIszM/UBU4PqgiS1I/AAAAAAAAA5c/IZqCdGMnaD0/s1600/IMG_1173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3K7kxIIszM/UBU4PqgiS1I/AAAAAAAAA5c/IZqCdGMnaD0/s320/IMG_1173.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--f74eq_AXiI/UBU4Tv0-8CI/AAAAAAAAA5k/S_DEjxEfdQA/s1600/IMG_1174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--f74eq_AXiI/UBU4Tv0-8CI/AAAAAAAAA5k/S_DEjxEfdQA/s320/IMG_1174.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fyAe-99HzTo/UBU4YKOHfMI/AAAAAAAAA5s/2JzEAQWJe5g/s1600/IMG_1175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fyAe-99HzTo/UBU4YKOHfMI/AAAAAAAAA5s/2JzEAQWJe5g/s320/IMG_1175.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ykkrv2eAIw/UBU4cCqdBaI/AAAAAAAAA50/yXw2p0bytCU/s1600/IMG_1176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ykkrv2eAIw/UBU4cCqdBaI/AAAAAAAAA50/yXw2p0bytCU/s320/IMG_1176.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv5Mnz32gms/UBU4hkE2PLI/AAAAAAAAA58/nfq1rGLjFvM/s1600/IMG_1177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv5Mnz32gms/UBU4hkE2PLI/AAAAAAAAA58/nfq1rGLjFvM/s320/IMG_1177.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Floral Applique Top; QUILTED Custom (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wLiqzCVIswQ/UBU58dsad3I/AAAAAAAAA6E/8B6SQuu0TaM/s1600/IMG_1205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wLiqzCVIswQ/UBU58dsad3I/AAAAAAAAA6E/8B6SQuu0TaM/s320/IMG_1205.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbGA1qjE4r8/UBU7TZ1r1LI/AAAAAAAAA6M/v7ktgmrheBQ/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbGA1qjE4r8/UBU7TZ1r1LI/AAAAAAAAA6M/v7ktgmrheBQ/s320/IMG_1204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lfsfUtqMwRg/UBU7Www-pvI/AAAAAAAAA6U/T1JP5oWVD_8/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lfsfUtqMwRg/UBU7Www-pvI/AAAAAAAAA6U/T1JP5oWVD_8/s320/IMG_1206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MnE6qWOmhzM/UBU7bCSZDLI/AAAAAAAAA6c/ytYJuEywN1I/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MnE6qWOmhzM/UBU7bCSZDLI/AAAAAAAAA6c/ytYJuEywN1I/s320/IMG_1208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2M5bYWJwpVc/UBU7ewkCn7I/AAAAAAAAA6k/Zjdg0_IFAhw/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2M5bYWJwpVc/UBU7ewkCn7I/AAAAAAAAA6k/Zjdg0_IFAhw/s320/IMG_1210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqdPN8xDriE/UBU7ismWWKI/AAAAAAAAA6s/rkpoc4SkeL0/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqdPN8xDriE/UBU7ismWWKI/AAAAAAAAA6s/rkpoc4SkeL0/s320/IMG_1211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nALhVLJllg/UBU7nIr4RqI/AAAAAAAAA60/1d7nGcPvj1E/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nALhVLJllg/UBU7nIr4RqI/AAAAAAAAA60/1d7nGcPvj1E/s320/IMG_1212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85gKup0gdoI/UBU7qSdrcdI/AAAAAAAAA68/99Ut-ks64FI/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85gKup0gdoI/UBU7qSdrcdI/AAAAAAAAA68/99Ut-ks64FI/s320/IMG_1213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDwRcpWgTno/UBU7udiJBNI/AAAAAAAAA7E/EnNdQ9j4Dj0/s1600/IMG_1214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDwRcpWgTno/UBU7udiJBNI/AAAAAAAAA7E/EnNdQ9j4Dj0/s320/IMG_1214.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hearts in Squares Top; QUILTED with Puffy Heart Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J2tYbU9ZLWY/UBU84FqyYXI/AAAAAAAAA7M/wR2-SQ_znYE/s1600/IMG_1220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J2tYbU9ZLWY/UBU84FqyYXI/AAAAAAAAA7M/wR2-SQ_znYE/s320/IMG_1220.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUmili5etjo/UBU89YQ-x4I/AAAAAAAAA7U/hZ2Buk2YpqU/s1600/IMG_1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mUmili5etjo/UBU89YQ-x4I/AAAAAAAAA7U/hZ2Buk2YpqU/s320/IMG_1224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Black & Yellow Top; QUILTED with Puzzle Piece Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXwORZLf5aU/UBU-w_Qs1CI/AAAAAAAAA7c/z_KWseUR1nc/s1600/IMG_1228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXwORZLf5aU/UBU-w_Qs1CI/AAAAAAAAA7c/z_KWseUR1nc/s320/IMG_1228.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhaP6iET_Dc/UBU-2NtZHsI/AAAAAAAAA7k/g-zChbquIK8/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhaP6iET_Dc/UBU-2NtZHsI/AAAAAAAAA7k/g-zChbquIK8/s320/IMG_1230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Purple Fan Top; QUILTED with Puzzle Piece Meander (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqrEPJWFLz8/UBU_LAMQmVI/AAAAAAAAA70/sGwZs5ZZBXY/s1600/IMG_1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqrEPJWFLz8/UBU_LAMQmVI/AAAAAAAAA70/sGwZs5ZZBXY/s320/IMG_1231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKntCK0QWwo/UBU_PXF0iqI/AAAAAAAAA78/I1UILezkFHA/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKntCK0QWwo/UBU_PXF0iqI/AAAAAAAAA78/I1UILezkFHA/s320/IMG_1233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Embroidery in Blue; QUILTED interior SID & Ribbon Meander in Border</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obH5MjgsGwA/UBU_UJLFfLI/AAAAAAAAA8E/rzZLOGsfSVM/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obH5MjgsGwA/UBU_UJLFfLI/AAAAAAAAA8E/rzZLOGsfSVM/s320/IMG_1256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkbHUwjqbks/UBU_YxYLFNI/AAAAAAAAA8M/Ac8jXqS0Gc8/s1600/IMG_1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkbHUwjqbks/UBU_YxYLFNI/AAAAAAAAA8M/Ac8jXqS0Gc8/s320/IMG_1257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last but not least, I went to the Hershey Quilt Show with my BFF & came home with rather meager findings. You'll notice there's NO FABRIC!?!?!? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_4i-ZszJQJ4/UBU_dnl5bNI/AAAAAAAAA8U/vtP6ASblkzQ/s1600/IMG_1268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_4i-ZszJQJ4/UBU_dnl5bNI/AAAAAAAAA8U/vtP6ASblkzQ/s320/IMG_1268.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6QCTi7Edt4/UBU_g9mNaaI/AAAAAAAAA8c/GWiXMKsjljM/s1600/IMG_1269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c6QCTi7Edt4/UBU_g9mNaaI/AAAAAAAAA8c/GWiXMKsjljM/s320/IMG_1269.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-doYxegUNnNo/UBU_kjXN7wI/AAAAAAAAA8k/avdN4jnjOEI/s1600/IMG_1270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-doYxegUNnNo/UBU_kjXN7wI/AAAAAAAAA8k/avdN4jnjOEI/s320/IMG_1270.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-73811584116199161522012-07-13T22:23:00.002-04:002012-07-13T22:36:50.441-04:00A Quilt, a Book, and the Flu<div style="text-align: center;">
I finished a quilt:<br />
Autumn Sampler top was quilted with the Oak Leaf panto<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJPRfCkSiug/UADWqol_AlI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/8d-f5aSAK_I/s1600/IMG_1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJPRfCkSiug/UADWqol_AlI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/8d-f5aSAK_I/s320/IMG_1111.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbELfCu6d74/UADWv_78aCI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/2b4x2DLAbpU/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbELfCu6d74/UADWv_78aCI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/2b4x2DLAbpU/s320/IMG_1112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="thumb above-axis" data-bn-rel="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-stieg-larsson/1100040490?ean=9780307454546" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" hidefocus="true" href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-stieg-larsson/1100040490?ean=9780307454546" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1342232038424_925" style="border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #3169a8; display: block; float: left; font-size: 0px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium Trilogy Series #1)" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bntrack="LinkedImage" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1342232038424_924" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/144830000/144839304.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.246094) 0px 1px 4px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(189, 186, 175); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(189, 186, 175); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(189, 186, 175); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(189, 186, 175); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.246094) 0px 1px 4px; display: block; font-size: 0px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-height: 166px; max-width: 114px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: bottom;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I read "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson. A little behind everyone else, I know. For some reason I do tend to resist going with the flow of readers & tend to wait until the ebb has occurred. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
This is a fabulously twisting set of stories. Though one book, it's stories include those of love, murder, seduction, and espionage. Intertwined masterfully, the web is spun densely & richly. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next in it's series. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
The blurb from the back:<br />
"Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of iniquity and corruption."<br />
<br />
Last but not least, I got the flu. I'd like to ask what kind of Freak of Mother Nature decided to wield her sickly wand over my head smack dab in the middle 'o summer?? Thankfully, it's not the barfing kind, nor the kind that would have me running to the loo; however, it's irritating presence is definitely felt by way of chills, sweats, aches, tingly skin, fever, sore throat, & utter exhaustion.<br />
<br />
Besides the aforementioned sickly fun, this week has also brought a decision to return to homeschooling next year (which leave me approximately 6 weeks behind in the planning stage, which means I'm constantly telling my neurotic self to calm down & it'll all turn out fine... it will all get planned & we'll begin in due time!!) & an infestation of fleas which encompasses two dogs, two cats & three floors worth of house... did I mention I've been sick & can barely move. Do y 'all know what it means to rid a house of fleas? OY VEY: wash bedding, vacuum floors & furniture, spray floors, move furniture & spray underneath, vacuum it all again, mop floors, bathe dogs, brush uncooperative cats, then treat all animals with prescription strength topical stuff from the vet. Just typing it all out is making me hyperventilate from exhaustion...<br />
<br />
And I do still work as a quilter... which means I would actually need to get something quilted... if I'd like to get paid... </div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-82233293307252458402012-07-07T09:29:00.000-04:002012-07-07T09:30:31.077-04:00Quilts of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sampler in Browns top; Quilted with a Freehand Meandering Puzzle Piece.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tYrbvQ9puuQ/T_g1gmOoF2I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/m3teY7TKl7k/s1600/IMG_0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tYrbvQ9puuQ/T_g1gmOoF2I/AAAAAAAAA3Q/m3teY7TKl7k/s320/IMG_0963.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2d4udRl9oyY/T_g1j671x9I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/qUZexQJ3coU/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2d4udRl9oyY/T_g1j671x9I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/qUZexQJ3coU/s320/IMG_0965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bright Rectangles top; Quilted in Freehand Maze.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XNtlAqde2c/T_g1oHSzSNI/AAAAAAAAA3g/Io1iHUVrxmI/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XNtlAqde2c/T_g1oHSzSNI/AAAAAAAAA3g/Io1iHUVrxmI/s320/IMG_0983.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idVwIBKoI7E/T_g5RuQ7JOI/AAAAAAAAA4E/1Yg8QjRTgIk/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idVwIBKoI7E/T_g5RuQ7JOI/AAAAAAAAA4E/1Yg8QjRTgIk/s320/IMG_0981.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Embroidered Snowman II top; Quilted SID around the blocks & Freehand Loopy Snowflakes in the outer border</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZRVWTqPvFg/T_g1sN5MQBI/AAAAAAAAA3o/qiC3R7Wl_g4/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZRVWTqPvFg/T_g1sN5MQBI/AAAAAAAAA3o/qiC3R7Wl_g4/s320/IMG_0989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Q65LUtErKY/T_g1vx8BmrI/AAAAAAAAA3w/lbLLuf6NCcE/s1600/IMG_0990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Q65LUtErKY/T_g1vx8BmrI/AAAAAAAAA3w/lbLLuf6NCcE/s320/IMG_0990.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know the name of this pattern?? How 'bout we call it Winding Star? The client only wanted me to SID around various pieces, so other than the stunning color/pattern, there's not much to show of quilting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XV4xgb65N4M/T_g10NS9TnI/AAAAAAAAA34/yHTWYP9hBAY/s1600/IMG_1003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XV4xgb65N4M/T_g10NS9TnI/AAAAAAAAA34/yHTWYP9hBAY/s320/IMG_1003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're expecting some record temperatures here in Lancaster, PA today. Personally, since our pool isn't operational currently, my plan is to stay in the a/c as much as possible. I have a couple errands to do, but I'm still planning to crank that air!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not opposed to sweating~ just not all day against my will.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Holy Crow, if that doesn't make me sound spoiled...)</div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-88782176517346232112012-07-04T09:43:00.000-04:002012-07-04T09:45:58.110-04:00Two Book Reviews<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Reading is my first love (sorry Marshall), and I'm thrilled to say I've been getting some extra reading time in recently. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Because it's one of those things that feels like an "extra" (a hobby), I don't "allow" myself to partake usually during the day. It's a personality defect I'm working on... feeling like I should be working during working hours, even though the fact that I work from home suggests I should be able to arrange my days however I want. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Unfortunately, the Responsible Woman in me comes out & reminds me that I work better during daylight hours & for a couple hours after dinner randomly. Sooo I try to abstain from my true love until I need a break or until I go up for bed. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There's no good tv on lately, so I've been heading upstairs early & reading for a couple 2-3 hours!! </span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><img alt="Still Missing" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="320" id="yui_3_3_0_1_1341409252197_1553" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/161430000/161431878.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; top: -1px;" width="213" /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><u>Still Missing</u> is Chevy Stevens' debut novel. She did a fine job of keeping my interest & of writing a compelling story:</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Annie O'Sullivan's story splits between the present-day conversations with her psychiatrist & and an in-the-past year she spent held captive in a remote cabin.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Annie is kidnapped at the end of a rather boring open house she hosted as a realtor. Her last visitor was unassuming, gave off no "creep vibe", and all she had on her mind was the recent argument she'd had with her mother & of meeting her boyfriend for dinner.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Before she knew it, Annie had been attacked from behind, forced at gunpoint to a nearby van, drugged & awoke in a fully equipped, unescapable cabin. What unfolds is her story of surviving a very warped idea The Freak had of love & family. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><img alt="Full Dark, No Stars" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="320" id="yui_3_3_0_1_1341409292549_1550" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/110860000/110860549.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; top: -1px;" width="205" /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stephen King's <u>Full Dark, No Stars</u> is a compilation of four short stories which are just what the title suggests: full of darkness with no light being emitted, not even from some faint, far-off stars: </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>1922</i> ~ </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As disturbing as this story becomes, I felt compelled to find out, "what next?". A wife has </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">inherited sizable acreage, which she means to sell to a hog farmer. Being an obstinate woman not inclined to meekness, she held firm, whilst the husband fumed at his lack of control. He wasn't going to stand for a hog farmer moving in next door, stinking up his land, the air, and polluting the stream his cows drank from! He wasn't going to stand for his wife's disagreement. This is where the story really begins...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Big Driver~</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A woman on her way back home after a speaking engagement finds herself stranded just outside of town with a flat tire. Being a writer, it's second nature to ask "why". Investigating what happened with her tire, she realizes the plank with nails poking up looks like a trap. She laughs at her overactive imagination & pushes those thoughts aside when a man stops to help her change her tire... until he starts pushing her around. Beaten, raped & left for dead in a ravine, Tess lives, makes her way home & begins to ask "why" again. Her investigation leads her on a trail of vigilantism with which most can empathize.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Fair Extension~</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">To what lengths would you be willing to go IF you were dying of inoperable cancer that was responding to no treatment? What if you were offered something so unbelievable you started to believe? What if doing so would hurt someone you've loved most of your life... but of whom you've been jealous & hurt by as well??</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>A Good Marriage~</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This story explores the psychology & behaviors one might go through if one found their significant other of 27 years had been hiding a terrible secret. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I've also been perusing some Labrador Retriever books, but I'll spare you those boring details. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I wish you all a Festive, Safe, and Happy 4rth!</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-74572138224943380412012-06-24T14:52:00.000-04:002012-06-24T15:00:42.256-04:00"What Should I Do with My Life?": Book Review & Self Speculations<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; line-height: 0px;">fflllllmmmncncfffffff</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><img alt="What Should I Do with My Life?: The True Story of People Who Answered the Ultimate Question" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="320" id="yui_3_3_0_1_1339715806400_1581" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/147870000/147874967.JPG" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; font-size: 14px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-height: 100%; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; top: -1px;" width="194" />oo</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">In high school, I knew I wanted to marry Marshall, live in California, get my degree & be "insert career here". Even back then I hadn't clearly identified my life goals. I was in love & wanted to spend my days with him. The End. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Not really. I knew I wanted to go to college, and I'd abandoned being a teacher which was what I'd always wanted to be as a child, when I continued to be petrified of & not particularly drawn to kids! But then my attention went to psychology, then pharmacy, and finally settling on nursing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> My life plan has not panned out exactly as anticipated. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I'm of Finnish stock, hearty, resilient with a touch of stubborn Italian (oh wait, that's a Finnish trait too~ oh well), which makes me keep plugging along. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">There's also a healthy dose of old-fashioned I BELIEVE IN GOD TO ENLIGHTEN ME mixed in as well. I believe that God has a plan for me, but sometimes I worry I'll be too distracted to notice. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I feel tugs & pulls toward what I think would be soul-satisfying, and a couple of them scare me for different reasons. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I've wanted to be a nurse for most of my adult life, and so God prepped me, sent me to school, gave me that innate desire to sponge up all information medically related, and then he gently laid Montie in my arms. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Not anticipated... And I'm not sure my beaten-up heart can take more nursing. I care so deeply about other people, people I know intimately but also people I talk to in the middle of Giant, or at the library, or while being dragged by my beastly dog. I just love people. And I love to hear their stories. But mostly I've found I feel a real ministry in laying my hands on someone to ease their pain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">But leaving the heart wide open allows people, willingly or just by their own brokenness, to slam the doors hard making them shake. I understand the slamming, but the reverberations linger.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">And that's what scares me. Can I function normally & be a nurse anymore? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">My other true love is writing. I love to write ...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I'm still working through the WHY writing scares me. I speculate that it has something to do with feeling like parts of my diary are being shared, even in fiction at times. And I feel very protective over certain events in my life ~ and protective over the people with whom I've shared them. And maybe this is a character flaw of mine that I need to work on... not caring what other people *think* is my truth. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">On the other hand I'm weird in that I think I avoid certain things when I'm pretty sure I'm going to either like them a lot and/or be good at them. Maybe I'm a challenge junkie?? </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">No matter, it's not earth-shattering, and the world continues to turn even though I'm pondering the big issues of WHAT'S NEXT...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Sooo no, I didn't think Po's book was going to spell it all out for me, give me neat answers or even necessarily inspire me. But for some reason I kept gravitating to it whenever I'd go to Barnes & Noble. I'd look at it, think, "Oh my gosh, I have so many books. I don't NEED this one!" Finally after weeks of visiting it, I had a coupon & could let go of the guilt of buying the sucker (Yeah, I get that it was still $$ spent, but to me I was happy I'd held out long enough so that the coupon = justification.) </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Po doesn't claim to be a self-help author or one who's going to tell you how to "get 'er done", however, reading the book did leave me with a sense of community, knowing I'm not the only person out there struggling with the Big Question. I knew that, but it was amazing to read the personal transformations, read about some of their stumbles, and some of their successes. Not all of the stories wrap up neatly, but that left me feeling that sometimes our Big Question is really about making a Lifestyle Choice (or many of them?) </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">As in so many other areas of our lives, when one goal is realized, another often slips up right behind it.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">And so the recurring theme throughout this book resonated with me: </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">If you feel passionate about something, you will make time in your schedule for it. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">There are some very creative people who just keep plugging away at things about which they are passionate. And this translates into their Lifestyle & answers the Big Question about why they're here/what their purpose is.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">So in this way of thinking, people who have passion are following their calling. And as Po says, "A calling is not something you know, it's something you grow into, through trials and mistakes."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">He goes on to say, "You can find your calling, or your can find your people, or you can find an environment that nurtures you - they all lead to the same place."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I appreciate the theme of our life-goals being a journey & not a destination, and perhaps that's where I've gone wrong in my noggin for so long. I keep thinking I need to "define myself", because of course that's what we do here... "What do you do?" is a prevalent question when meeting new people.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Instead perhaps I need to embrace Po's opinion on this matter as well: "We're not identified by what we <i>do</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> - our identity is anchored in what we've had to overcome to get there." </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">That's just a lot to explain to other's...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; line-height: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; line-height: 0px;">f</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-83502457009967270802012-06-14T19:11:00.000-04:002012-06-14T19:13:50.845-04:00Quick Quick Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today's Froggy quilt had me sweating it out a bit. Not the quilt itself actually but rather waiting on the bobbin thread required to do this for the shop, <a href="http://www.stitchcraftpa.com/">Stitch & Craft</a>. But all's well that ends well, and it did end well!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This top was quilted with Water Stipple (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYZ6UpMgIQw/T9ptudDr27I/AAAAAAAAA28/4ebyNSdX1Z0/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYZ6UpMgIQw/T9ptudDr27I/AAAAAAAAA28/4ebyNSdX1Z0/s320/IMG_0928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATXmXUEsmEk/T9pt0KMd2pI/AAAAAAAAA3E/PPzGVpWFAVE/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATXmXUEsmEk/T9pt0KMd2pI/AAAAAAAAA3E/PPzGVpWFAVE/s320/IMG_0929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was ecstatic to pick up a handful more to quilt this upcoming week ~ I do like to be busy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But next look for a book review on Po Bronson's book, <u>What Should I Do with My life?</u> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See you soon :)</div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-32931536070414802502012-06-11T21:17:00.000-04:002012-06-11T21:17:01.975-04:00I've been MIA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At first I couldn't believe it when I saw I hadn't blogged since early May!! But then as I began to ponder the WHY of what's been going on, I guess I do. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Since my last post the following events have taken place: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~My older daughter turned 20 (yikes!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~Mother's Day, which is so bittersweet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~I've taken two day-trips to NJ to help my mom & uncle pack up my Grandma's house. She passed away last October. The visits are emotionally & as well as physically draining. And once we bring whatever we've packed into the car(s) home to PA, it has to be gone through again to divide amongst us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~My younger daughter finished her 9th grade year of high school.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~I've helped my best friend put on her younger daughter's graduation party</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~And... wait for it... I GOT CARPETING IN MY SEWING ROOM!!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~We got the carpeting in the family room put in finally as well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~June 3rd would've been Montie's 14th birthday</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The carpeting being put in has really put my house in a tizzy. I've had boxes stowed hither & yon for my sewing room since we flooded back in September. I figured there was no reason to unpack the many boxes of fabric, tools, notions, etc., until I was moving back in... never thinking that it'd take this long! There were boxes I'd brought back down to the sewing room that I absolutely needed to do longarm quilting work, there were boxes up on the 2nd floor landing of the front staircase, boxes in Montie's old room, and boxes in our old schoolroom (we were homeschoolers recently, but I'd unpacked some things to make this area a make-shift sewing station if needed.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The packing scene that morning we knew flooding was imminent was a rather haphazard undertaking, and there were many hands helping who had no idea how to group sewing stuff. I say this not to be ungrateful but rather to point out that unpacking has been a slow process while I find a mix-mash of items in many boxes. The silver lining here is that it's all been reorganized as I've put it back!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've had boxes full of things coming down my staircases & boxes coming in the front door full of my Grandma's things... she was a sewer & meshing her supplies with mine has multiplied the task. Again, I truly don't mean this as a complaint... I love to organize!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pictures of my newly painted, newly carpeted & newly reorganized sewing room are soon to come! I just have to get the pictures & whatnot up on the walls and I think I can call it DONE :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have managed to keep up with the quilting...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pink/Green Snowball/9-Patch; Quilted with Embossed Hearts (panto)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48vjAlp_Cf8/T9ZeuIeOz3I/AAAAAAAAA08/qo92ZGCf25s/s1600/IMG_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48vjAlp_Cf8/T9ZeuIeOz3I/AAAAAAAAA08/qo92ZGCf25s/s320/IMG_0488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1g4SrLxEbo/T9Zeyv_4yjI/AAAAAAAAA1E/CYVTJkFFmm4/s1600/IMG_0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1g4SrLxEbo/T9Zeyv_4yjI/AAAAAAAAA1E/CYVTJkFFmm4/s320/IMG_0493.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blue/Green with Yellow Flowers; Quilted with Leafy Swirl (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0klKmS9cMc/T9Ze3tT1soI/AAAAAAAAA1M/7rCVzMpuB9M/s1600/IMG_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0klKmS9cMc/T9Ze3tT1soI/AAAAAAAAA1M/7rCVzMpuB9M/s320/IMG_0507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXcl_f1uBIE/T9Ze8FvYyiI/AAAAAAAAA1U/nTe6noDi21c/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXcl_f1uBIE/T9Ze8FvYyiI/AAAAAAAAA1U/nTe6noDi21c/s320/IMG_0511.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brown/Black & Applique Baskets; Quilted with Leafy Swirl (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HAhF-NPVJP8/T9ZfCbQkoBI/AAAAAAAAA1c/-6Mvh5ff3rY/s1600/IMG_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HAhF-NPVJP8/T9ZfCbQkoBI/AAAAAAAAA1c/-6Mvh5ff3rY/s320/IMG_0516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PIVexPlNVA/T9ZfJZT9OlI/AAAAAAAAA1k/JqAi9J-wJgo/s1600/IMG_0517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PIVexPlNVA/T9ZfJZT9OlI/AAAAAAAAA1k/JqAi9J-wJgo/s320/IMG_0517.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brown Star; Quilted SID & Diagonals in Border</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKPHe-8Uhi4/T9ZfR1aLrHI/AAAAAAAAA1s/zl1U3GDI-oY/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKPHe-8Uhi4/T9ZfR1aLrHI/AAAAAAAAA1s/zl1U3GDI-oY/s320/IMG_0609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Collaboration with <a href="http://sewreaddiet.blogspot.com/">BFF</a> for the college graduation of a good friend of ours. She pieced this E-town quilt & I quilted it with Loopy Stars (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WbJ0vil9JTU/T9ZfgClOniI/AAAAAAAAA18/ZB3nnaNV1A0/s1600/IMG_0650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WbJ0vil9JTU/T9ZfgClOniI/AAAAAAAAA18/ZB3nnaNV1A0/s320/IMG_0650.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Memory Quilt; Quilted with SID & some Outlining of Applique</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ng8Aozy_45U/T9ZjFDJfuPI/AAAAAAAAA2I/ukn6CNVpg6M/s1600/IMG_0697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ng8Aozy_45U/T9ZjFDJfuPI/AAAAAAAAA2I/ukn6CNVpg6M/s320/IMG_0697.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Autumn Stars & Applique; Quilted with Leafy Swirl (freehand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8xcVhC4dQHA/T9ZjJfX8ydI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/vRhDiOkh8YQ/s1600/IMG_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8xcVhC4dQHA/T9ZjJfX8ydI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/vRhDiOkh8YQ/s320/IMG_0702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PgBo8LYqwmw/T9ZjPMuBY4I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/ROL4DIPPT0E/s1600/IMG_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PgBo8LYqwmw/T9ZjPMuBY4I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/ROL4DIPPT0E/s320/IMG_0703.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Penguin Applique; Quilted with Water Stipple (freehand)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_1BPidrYV8/T9ZjXmVKfXI/AAAAAAAAA2o/Cys1swM3YW0/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_1BPidrYV8/T9ZjXmVKfXI/AAAAAAAAA2o/Cys1swM3YW0/s320/IMG_0896.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2tU72VEQAEk/T9Zjb20eHwI/AAAAAAAAA2w/KgnXlpjCOsc/s1600/IMG_0898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2tU72VEQAEk/T9Zjb20eHwI/AAAAAAAAA2w/KgnXlpjCOsc/s320/IMG_0898.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I surely hope I won't be too long between posts this time! And please forgive me for being absent visiting your blogs!!</div>
<br />Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-24212506961729583752012-05-05T09:51:00.000-04:002012-05-05T09:51:17.236-04:00Shop Hop Eye Candy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Alright, so maybe not everyone would consider deer "shop hop eye candy", and I never expected to see deer at any of the quilt shops. BUT one of them had a pen-full of deer in their side yard, and you can see this one was quite friendly!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I couldn't decide whether to be irritated by the penned-up deer?? Why were they penned up? I'm hoping they don't serve as this family's yearly "deer meat" or something similar?? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Though now that I think of it, it's not so dissimilar to what we do to cows & pigs now, is it? And don't get all freaky-deak on me~ I'm not some squirrelly vegetarian with no tolerance for pig and/or cow eating & being all judgmental ... I eat mean... just making an observation!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSCg1js7X_g/T6UpxMTMkoI/AAAAAAAAAyc/YUMOLGRtEhw/s1600/IMG_0441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSCg1js7X_g/T6UpxMTMkoI/AAAAAAAAAyc/YUMOLGRtEhw/s320/IMG_0441.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This same lovely shop (the one that went on and on and on and on) provided the most comfortable gliders on which we sat & had our lunch. And might I just add, we had the more glorious day for this weather-wise.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KuAQwqcZClM/T6Up13jucYI/AAAAAAAAAyk/YcuU2M4YGnE/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KuAQwqcZClM/T6Up13jucYI/AAAAAAAAAyk/YcuU2M4YGnE/s320/IMG_0445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now to some pictures of the loot! This first set of fabric is for making birthday place mats for the most part. I made them for my own gang at home & want to make some "generic" ones as well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdHj0CVeKk8/T6Up522KpPI/AAAAAAAAAys/GtfRSMQmgIQ/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdHj0CVeKk8/T6Up522KpPI/AAAAAAAAAys/GtfRSMQmgIQ/s320/IMG_0521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was lacking browns in my stash:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I think the one is actually black?)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8klnzmnQqc/T6Up-RNj37I/AAAAAAAAAy0/VZdwT5YcrDc/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8klnzmnQqc/T6Up-RNj37I/AAAAAAAAAy0/VZdwT5YcrDc/s320/IMG_0524.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tea fabric!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jC1wXkGOcxY/T6UqD7XrkCI/AAAAAAAAAy8/u7Tzs-ekMXU/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jC1wXkGOcxY/T6UqD7XrkCI/AAAAAAAAAy8/u7Tzs-ekMXU/s320/IMG_0526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coffee fabric!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fUM8ZTT2tBM/T6UqJcz8fEI/AAAAAAAAAzE/t66CgETuRh8/s1600/IMG_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fUM8ZTT2tBM/T6UqJcz8fEI/AAAAAAAAAzE/t66CgETuRh8/s320/IMG_0527.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A homespun I plan to turn into napkins for us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4YT4-U5neI/T6UqOiwIdrI/AAAAAAAAAzM/A_iK0ix_u8A/s1600/IMG_0529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4YT4-U5neI/T6UqOiwIdrI/AAAAAAAAAzM/A_iK0ix_u8A/s320/IMG_0529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple fun novelties: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZIbHH9uFFo/T6UqS8Z76iI/AAAAAAAAAzU/u5w4lwJ4GrI/s1600/IMG_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZIbHH9uFFo/T6UqS8Z76iI/AAAAAAAAAzU/u5w4lwJ4GrI/s320/IMG_0531.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we went to a new shop that offers a very nice array of wool felt! It's difficult to find in stores around here, even with us being in Lancaster, PA, which seems to be the quilt store mecca of the USA!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(the small brown piece on top is actually 100% wool)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fGminXxxbE/T6UqWkP636I/AAAAAAAAAzc/2qmmQ7a8iCs/s1600/IMG_0536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fGminXxxbE/T6UqWkP636I/AAAAAAAAAzc/2qmmQ7a8iCs/s320/IMG_0536.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are the four shop hop blocks I'll make "someday". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0pKOoS6d7c/T6UqbI-WYNI/AAAAAAAAAzk/Di3CXmYSopE/s1600/IMG_0537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0pKOoS6d7c/T6UqbI-WYNI/AAAAAAAAAzk/Di3CXmYSopE/s320/IMG_0537.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A few nifty patterns:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-urtDTXJHfEg/T6Uqf0vYYVI/AAAAAAAAAzs/063UB-WsIXU/s1600/IMG_0539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-urtDTXJHfEg/T6Uqf0vYYVI/AAAAAAAAAzs/063UB-WsIXU/s320/IMG_0539.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Notions~ If you enlarge this one you can see the labels say, "Created by Denise". How cool is that??!?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F84mUhOfepA/T6UqkORwh5I/AAAAAAAAAz0/w9YQuC4xqn4/s1600/IMG_0540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F84mUhOfepA/T6UqkORwh5I/AAAAAAAAAz0/w9YQuC4xqn4/s320/IMG_0540.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And another random-makes-me-laugh picture, because yes, this was found within the deer quilt shop. The Amish & Mennonite are well-know for their herbal remedies, but the presentation & location cracked me up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xuK2lWX_pEM/T6Upqdr7vPI/AAAAAAAAAyU/nQXWTomn-Zg/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xuK2lWX_pEM/T6Upqdr7vPI/AAAAAAAAAyU/nQXWTomn-Zg/s320/IMG_0435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That'll be enough quilt shop-hopping for a little while. I'm still not back in my sewing room since our home was flooded in September of this last year, and all of my fabric is still in boxes. I can dig through them if I REALLY want to sew, and I have on a few occasions. But really the process is so annoying & exhausting that by the time I've dug through everything trying to find anything, I have no patience or energy left to BEGIN a new sewing project. Instead I just keep stock-piling :) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Weekend everybody!</div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-68876843412463329372012-04-17T17:49:00.000-04:002012-04-17T17:49:52.894-04:00Quilt Finishes & Some Babble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pink/Green Star Top; Quilted with a Leafy Swirl (freehand)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KusBSeMyYJk/T43XqZGIomI/AAAAAAAAAxc/F1rkgzkVVa0/s1600/IMG_0425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KusBSeMyYJk/T43XqZGIomI/AAAAAAAAAxc/F1rkgzkVVa0/s320/IMG_0425.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyVmM8PRBoQ/T43XyHoE__I/AAAAAAAAAxk/PaFiR5ld1qM/s1600/IMG_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyVmM8PRBoQ/T43XyHoE__I/AAAAAAAAAxk/PaFiR5ld1qM/s320/IMG_0426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zavZy-UPLw0/T43X4MLwZHI/AAAAAAAAAxs/NKWTUiGJapA/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zavZy-UPLw0/T43X4MLwZHI/AAAAAAAAAxs/NKWTUiGJapA/s320/IMG_0428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Multi-Colored Hexagon Top; Quilted with Puzzle Piece Meander (freehand)</div><div style="text-align: center;">(sorry the pic is kinda dark!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfiDoebG2mU/T43X9wh4sfI/AAAAAAAAAx0/kTxVAGb4Ar8/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfiDoebG2mU/T43X9wh4sfI/AAAAAAAAAx0/kTxVAGb4Ar8/s320/IMG_0432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Turtle Top; Quilted with Stippled Water (freehand)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oBry9CiB2R0/T43YDDI78JI/AAAAAAAAAx8/IHYfJ-xrTWM/s1600/IMG_0458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oBry9CiB2R0/T43YDDI78JI/AAAAAAAAAx8/IHYfJ-xrTWM/s320/IMG_0458.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X9RjpdPF7U0/T43YHpiOMKI/AAAAAAAAAyE/sTExg7Ir3uk/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X9RjpdPF7U0/T43YHpiOMKI/AAAAAAAAAyE/sTExg7Ir3uk/s320/IMG_0459.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bo623vJDHVc/T43YL-5-reI/AAAAAAAAAyM/y93g6WbeiBk/s1600/IMG_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bo623vJDHVc/T43YL-5-reI/AAAAAAAAAyM/y93g6WbeiBk/s320/IMG_0461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry I've been so lame at blogging lately! I'm restructuring my days, so I hope to be attending to tasks more regularly now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been quite challenged finding a balance between work & family & friends & household obligations. And I know I'm not the only person looking for the most efficient way to work from home while not getting too sucked into what's going on IN the home at the same time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I admit I've always been one of "those moms" who was more apt to drop those chores to go have some fun with the kiddos (and maybe even let them drop theirs as well.) I still hold that it was a great way to raise our kids~ not perfect, but we've made lots of terrifically fun & meaningful memories with our kids. So yeah, over the years I've had neighbors or family drop by & have been embarrassed by the strewn toys or laundry piles waiting to be folded, but... well, what can I say?? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That stuff is easier to get to now that the girls are older. HOWEVER, the myth that older kids don't need or want their parents like younger kids do should really be put to rest. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Truly lots of older kids are still vying for their parents' attention.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I'm off on a tangent... What I'm trying to say is that there are still lots of fun things & household things that come up ... rides to/from places, games, Coach bag shopping, nails, Algebra homework help, lessons, bike rides, clothes shopping, lunch dates, proofreading papers, finding lunch money, finding missing belts/braces wax/shoes/etc. orthodontic appointments, pet care, running for project supplies at the last minute, food gathering, shopping, shopping, and more shopping. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then there are the piles of dirty laundry & dishes calling to me as I walk by them... the stack of bills waiting to be paid... the random stuff that seems to grow in my house which needs permanent homes "somewhere"... the letters to penpals to answer... a sewing project I *should* work on... the sewing project I *want* to work on... dirty floors that should be swept or vacuumed... meals to prepare... garbage to gather & take out...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When you "get" to be home all day, how do you go about organizing yourself to make sure you get certain things done on a regular basis?? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've designated several days a week as absolute work days, and a couple days as errands/household duty days (that can also be work overflow days.) Saturday is a work day, and Sunday is our Family Day. We're not necessarily doing anything together, but we're NOT running all around in separate directions either. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I would love to hear from other's on this. What's worked for you?? And how do you deal with those around you whom don't understand *how* working from home works?? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">p.s. Stay tuned for pictures from my Shop Hop this past weekend = Eye Candy!!</div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-13976912842992727742012-04-09T21:11:00.000-04:002012-04-09T21:11:57.294-04:00Quilt Finishes & Easter Noise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Pioneer Quilt Top</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Quilted with a simple Puzzle Piece Meander (freehand)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGVRxXV2Uqc/T39_EXJTkFI/AAAAAAAAAwU/8RvG1oYMZcE/s1600/IMG_0303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGVRxXV2Uqc/T39_EXJTkFI/AAAAAAAAAwU/8RvG1oYMZcE/s320/IMG_0303.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NX9B_kmyTJk/T39_I7uCbmI/AAAAAAAAAwc/t3VNB4pBJW0/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NX9B_kmyTJk/T39_I7uCbmI/AAAAAAAAAwc/t3VNB4pBJW0/s320/IMG_0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3Mqh_Ei2eg/T39_N73hYvI/AAAAAAAAAwk/MCZNCPxTHrw/s1600/IMG_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3Mqh_Ei2eg/T39_N73hYvI/AAAAAAAAAwk/MCZNCPxTHrw/s320/IMG_0310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Blue Pinwheels Quilt Top<br />
Quilted with Swirly Leaves (freehand)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSJxmrOLhXs/T4DACul-sSI/AAAAAAAAAxM/jhVmXN0ciOo/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSJxmrOLhXs/T4DACul-sSI/AAAAAAAAAxM/jhVmXN0ciOo/s320/IMG_0335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_NBYB6l5yb4/T4C_uxACR3I/AAAAAAAAAws/kiJt55h_ipA/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_NBYB6l5yb4/T4C_uxACR3I/AAAAAAAAAws/kiJt55h_ipA/s320/IMG_0331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKZpzGAP1EA/T4C_4cI3TtI/AAAAAAAAAw8/V71vBXYyGy8/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKZpzGAP1EA/T4C_4cI3TtI/AAAAAAAAAw8/V71vBXYyGy8/s320/IMG_0333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0eUUY4o5TU/T4C_zhst3OI/AAAAAAAAAw0/tJOdRzl_Jgw/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0eUUY4o5TU/T4C_zhst3OI/AAAAAAAAAw0/tJOdRzl_Jgw/s320/IMG_0332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Did everyone enjoy their extended Easter break? We surely have!<br />
<br />
I began Friday quietly with my nose in a devotional & thanking God for the gift of His Son.<br />
<br />
Then I had a mini-date with my hubby running errands, whereby we picked up more paint for my sewing room. He's been fixing & patching walls & the ceiling, and painting & working on the trim work. This is all in preparation for some replacement carpeting since being flooded in September. (It's been a very long process.)<br />
<br />
I spent most of Saturday quilting for the shop, then I cleaned the downstairs in preparation for Easter day.<br />
<br />
Easter was fairly quiet in it's beginning, but surely ended in bursts of happy noise. We went to my brother & sister-in-law's home for dinner & celebrated with their two boys & my parents.<br />
<br />
At the end of the evening, I got to fulfill a heart's desire to try playing drums. My brother is a musician, but I didn't realize he had a drum set sitting in his studio that I could try!!<br />
<br />
All I can say is that it was EXTREME FUN! And my hubby said I'm "allowed" to put one on the 3rd floor :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtRkRTSLd3I/T4OIKAcLyTI/AAAAAAAAAxU/zWWNoSKbsGk/s1600/drumming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtRkRTSLd3I/T4OIKAcLyTI/AAAAAAAAAxU/zWWNoSKbsGk/s320/drumming.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-29375779815856074702012-03-26T16:32:00.000-04:002012-03-26T16:32:21.031-04:00My Slow Sunday ~ How I Miss You!<div style="text-align: center;">Ever had a weekend with which you just weren't ready to say goodbye? I'm sure most of us have! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The whole weekend wasn't enjoyable, but Sunday my home felt to me like a little slice of Heaven.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And here's what I was up to:<br />
<br />
Snuggled for awhile with the kitties before getting dressed...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n0dukxKoMdE/T3C0YE6xfUI/AAAAAAAAAu8/TbCthT4duMo/s1600/IMG_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n0dukxKoMdE/T3C0YE6xfUI/AAAAAAAAAu8/TbCthT4duMo/s320/IMG_0264.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Spent some time leisurely browsing all my various, addictive social media outlets I typically rush through during the week...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esglD-6SMYU/T3C0ctv2tCI/AAAAAAAAAvE/RW8617DwJ1Y/s1600/IMG_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esglD-6SMYU/T3C0ctv2tCI/AAAAAAAAAvE/RW8617DwJ1Y/s320/IMG_0271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Organized my recipes & began putting them into 3-ring binders with page protectors...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ijUuuCLdg4/T3C0glnnUWI/AAAAAAAAAvM/dWbqjxe9-SU/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ijUuuCLdg4/T3C0glnnUWI/AAAAAAAAAvM/dWbqjxe9-SU/s320/IMG_0272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Took my girls to rent movies & they didn't bother to "get dressed" ~ lol!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PrtSwtBRc30/T3C0tJNm_HI/AAAAAAAAAvk/1w9AbRdz45o/s1600/IMG_0277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PrtSwtBRc30/T3C0tJNm_HI/AAAAAAAAAvk/1w9AbRdz45o/s320/IMG_0277.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Periodically checked on my dear hubby, who's painting my sewing room for my upcoming birthday!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwdWx-k1LRk/T3C0pvByt-I/AAAAAAAAAvc/abFlBTux8w8/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwdWx-k1LRk/T3C0pvByt-I/AAAAAAAAAvc/abFlBTux8w8/s320/IMG_0275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LByTPPgwDY/T3C0x2kjwII/AAAAAAAAAvs/Fme-PcDlLDo/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LByTPPgwDY/T3C0x2kjwII/AAAAAAAAAvs/Fme-PcDlLDo/s320/IMG_0278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldknISYF4uo/T3C01mJrEdI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Hyw6ncepMig/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldknISYF4uo/T3C01mJrEdI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Hyw6ncepMig/s320/IMG_0279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And watched this movie, <i>The Goonies</i>, while prepping & cutting fabric to make my penpals some bookmarks...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nx9uH4JQUNM/T3C07DQccmI/AAAAAAAAAv8/4UXtV4myK4E/s1600/IMG_0280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nx9uH4JQUNM/T3C07DQccmI/AAAAAAAAAv8/4UXtV4myK4E/s320/IMG_0280.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I'd spent some time earlier in the week cleaning up Montie's room a bit (it's through that door.) We'd put our entire 1st floor on either the 2nd or 3rd floors in advance of the flooding in Sept. if it was small enough to go up the stairs, and most of it has been brought back down except for my sewing room boxes. But while I straightened things & began sorting through boxes, I found things like luggage & an old dog crate that were used around flood time too. So I dragged a bunch of things to the 3rd floor for storage, and after having made more room, put the boxes of fabric that had been in the room shown below into Montie's room.<br />
<br />
I feel like I can move in this large landing-not-quite-a-room!!<br />
<br />
I was THRILLED to set up my full-sized iron! Small things thrill us simple folk, and after ironing for the last 6 months on a table-top ironing board, using the full-sized one feels like some sort of luxury! Ah... perspective is everything, eh?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pce_2D5eobU/T3C0_7ny3cI/AAAAAAAAAwE/mVdBUXHZE-s/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pce_2D5eobU/T3C0_7ny3cI/AAAAAAAAAwE/mVdBUXHZE-s/s320/IMG_0281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93_2gvuWGko/T3C1DJTGSjI/AAAAAAAAAwM/7x1Byyjvht8/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93_2gvuWGko/T3C1DJTGSjI/AAAAAAAAAwM/7x1Byyjvht8/s320/IMG_0284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
For dinner I threw some cheese on top of left over spaghetti with meat sauce & called it Baked Spaghetti. Salad was left over from the previous night's dinner, and I reheated some rolls in the toaster oven. For those of you who remember, I don't like to cook and so having a decent meal that isn't bought out but that I didn't really have to do much preparation for is Heavenly for me!!<br />
<br />
I ended the evening by starting the movie <i>Act Ventura: Pet Detective</i> with the girls, but we turned it off at 9pm when we realized <i>Long Island Medium</i> was on for the first time this season!<br />
<br />
Then I happily crawled in bed around 10:30 with my latest great read, <i>The Hunger Games</i>. I HAVE to read it before we go see the movie!<br />
<br />
Now onto Monday & all the fun a workday brings.<br />
<br />
Happy End-of-March all!</div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-28230875234146078562012-03-21T08:41:00.000-04:002012-03-21T08:41:06.823-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">A book review on <u>for one more day</u> by Mitch Albom</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">An excerpt taken from the front inside cover:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"For One More Day </i>is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship that lasts a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><img alt="For One More Day" class="image img book product-expand-view" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/13720000/13720759.JPG" style="position: relative; top: 2px;" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Charley lives an ordinary life as a baseball playing boy, until his father disappears when he's eleven. In a time when divorce was uncommon, he spends the rest of his childhood embarrassed over his broken family and resenting his mother for it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As an adult Charley does a short stint in professional baseball, but after an injury forces him out, he becomes an alcoholic and never recoups his zest for life. Until finally, he sees no meaning in life at all, and that's really where the story begins.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll admit I thought longer & harder before buying this book, about whether I actually wanted to read on this subject matter. With mourning the loss of my son, Montie, I was concerned the book would dredge up sad feelings, but it didn't really. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As Charley is in the throes of grieving all his life wasn't, he heads back to the house in which he grew up and miraculously finds his mother there... who passed away years before.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The book takes us back and forth in time, sometimes sharing poignant moments when his mom stuck up for him in childhood or when he <i>didn't</i> stick up for his mom, and then back to the present as Charley follows his mother through what appears to be a routine day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I do love Albom's style of writing. He expresses emotions and attitudes so clearly without being unnecessarily wordy. I mean, I like wordy, too, now and then, but sometimes some straight-forward writing is a breath of fresh air. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love that Albom gives us something to mull over in "what would I do with that" situations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the end, I've come to decide I wouldn't want to spend "one more day" with Montie the way this book outlines. To me that would be emotional torture. Even in the deliriously happy moments of just seeing him again, I'd be sure to recognize that unless I'm dead, I'm not seeing him forevermore. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And that's horrific ... cruel ... I wouldn't want to have to say goodbye in that way to Montie again.</div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959777994024263535.post-40008704965539159812012-03-18T22:12:00.000-04:002012-03-18T22:12:30.036-04:003 Years Ago...<div style="text-align: center;">I remember clearly what I was doing three years ago. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">March 18, 2009 I'd woken with the sun rising. I was on the 9th floor of the Johns Hopkins Children Hospital, having dozed the night away next to Montie while he tried to fitfully sleep through his pain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was eager to get up & be somewhat coherent because I knew the docs would start rounding before 7am. It could be difficult to get the surgeon later for questions, so being ready with questions and/or suggestions was best. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was so thankful for the beautiful day, waking up next to Montie, that I took a picture of the sunrise...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Throughout the day I ran downstairs for movies, drinks, any food that Mont might be persuaded to eat. There was talk of Montie going home & so much of the day was spent focusing on his blood thinner levels, whether we could have the correct meds at our local pharmacy to control his levels once we returned home, and talking with pain management. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">All was arranged & it was a "go". As dinnertime approached, there was a party going on down the hall for all the kids & their families. We took turns going for food but we were mostly eager to get everyone & everything loaded into the car & headed home. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">While Marshall took the girls for food, I began the painful process of getting Montie up & dressed to go home. My little boy was in so much pain this time around. Not only did he have the 10" long incision pain on his back, but most of his boney back was covered with a huge, grotesque-looking hematoma. For those not familiar with the term, it's basically like a very painful, extreme bruise. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">While I was buttoning up his red flannel, snowman pajama top, he had his arms around my neck for support. My face was near his because I was leaning into him, so he wouldn't have to stretch his arms (and his back) more than necessary knowing it was painful. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And then he shocked me by kissing my cheek & telling me how happy he was to be going home. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This moment is etched in my memory forever. Montie was such an affectionate child with me. Maybe some would call him a "Momma's Boy"... but he was a hugger, never free with kisses. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And soon thereafter we were on our way home. The girls were with us because they were always so excited for homecoming day. They love their brother & were very familiar & comfortable being at Johns Hopkins. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But we were never happier then when we could all be home again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Because Montie was in more pain this time, he wasn't able to walk up to his bedroom to sleep. And because he was taller & in so much pain, we determined we wouldn't try to carry him up the stairs but rather we'd sleep in the family room.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Marshall made a fire... we got Montie as comfortable as we could on the couch... and I made a make-shift bed on the floor next to him. And that's how we spent our last night together. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Montie was a homebody like the rest of us. I find some comfort that he passed away after he'd gotten home & it didn't happen in an impersonal hospital room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But there are those little questions. The what-ifs... What if he'd gone into cardiac failure while he was still at Hopkins? Could they have saved him? Would he have even wanted that? I try not to play this game, because I'm pretty sure it could literally drive me insane.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And though there are so many fantastic memories of Montie being silly, kind, loving, fishing, playing PS3 with his friends, having sleep-overs, making videos with his sisters, holding his hand, watching him zip around on his beloved red scooter, watching his brow furrow when deep in thought, doing science experiments, reading in bed... they're just not as satisfying to my soul as holding my boy on my lap while he twirls my hair (to the intense irritation of his sisters!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I miss him every day & will miss him forever until we are reunited in Heaven.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMtZq1hovJo/T2YyKd31IqI/AAAAAAAAAu0/qgFpfwB3ORw/s1600/Mont.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMtZq1hovJo/T2YyKd31IqI/AAAAAAAAAu0/qgFpfwB3ORw/s320/Mont.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the last picture taken of Montie...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">June 6, 1998- March 19, 2009</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Denise L. Gregoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448243985138675570noreply@blogger.com2