Scrapbooking convention, here I come!

I spend a lot of time quilting (duh, right).  I attended the statewide quilting convention in July.  But,  I do have other hobbies.  So, this week I am planning to be in the quilt shop for a few days, and then I am heading to a weekend-long scrapbooking convention.  I haven't scrapped in such a long time!  When I was a teacher, I spent every Christmas break and every summer vacation catching up on my scrapbooks.  I had three books going at all times; one for me, one for my son, and one for my daughter.  That way, I reasoned, when they moved out, they would each have all of their own books, and I would still have mine.  Well, the last time I worked in my own book was more than three years ago.  I made an engagement book for my son and his wife as a wedding shower gift three years ago, this fall.  The last scrapping I did was to catch up on my daughter's books for her graduation.  Now, I am so far behind the question is...where do I begin?  I packed way more than I could ever possible do, and plan to spend much of the week this week while I am at my parent's place just organizing so that I am ready to actually work when I get to the scrapping.  I think it will be a lot of fun, and I can't wait to feel like I am on a bit more on top of things with my scrapbooks.  I bought a new book for my grandkids, and I can't wait to start on it! 

Quilt Nebraska Here I Come!

Being on the planning committee for a major statewide event is not what I would call "fun."  I agreed to do it mainly because my mom was on the committee and I wanted to make sure that she didn't get in over her head.  Luckily, I talked several of my good friends from my quilt guild to join in the "fun."  Without them, I would have had many a long, lonely drive to the monthly meetings over the past year, and now, finally, as we bring this event to a close this week, it will be a great time sharing it with friends.  Most women that I know my own age, which I hate to own is 44, do not sew, quilt, or anything else domestic other than the usual keeping house and cooking for their families.  My generation tends to be scrapbookers.  I also love to scrap, but since beginning my longarm business a couple of years ago, my scrapbooking days are few and far between.  But, I digress.  This week, in  Kearney, we are having our yearly state convention.  The planning committee has been hard at work for several years lining up teachers, location, venders, etc. in order to make this event a success.  There are more than 200 ladies signed up to take classes over a three day period.  In spite of many frustrating road blocks put in our way by "the board," we were able to make some much-needed changes.  Rumors abound, but in the end, I believe we will win out, if not in dollar figures, in long lasting influence on future conventions.  I can't wait to see how it all shakes out!

Babysitting my grandson is better than quilting!

Today, tomorrow, and Saturday I am babysitting my 17 month old grandson.  He is a delight to have around.  Busy, busy, busy...but lots of fun!  I have quilts that I should be working on; however, if I have one regret about my parenting days, it is that I wish I would have been less "task-oriented" and really enjoyed the time I had with my son and daughter when they were young.  I didn't realize as a 20-something that those days would quickly pass by and before a blink of an eye, those babies would be grown up, and having babies of their own.  Maybe that is why grandparents are so much more fun than parents!  Grandparents realize a very profound truth which is that taking care of a small child is truly one of the greatest blessings in life.  It's not something to be tolerated or done while accomplishing other things.  It, quite simply, is a joy to be enjoyed during a season of life.  I plan to read books, have tea parties, play outside, go for nature walks, and do all those little things that as a young mom I didn't do enough of.  I vow to never utter the words, "Not now, I am too busy.  Maybe we can do it later." to my grandchildren.  For, with children, I have learned that the time to do things together is "now."

Marci Baker 3-D class

Take a class, learn a new skill! Today I took a class with national quilting teacher, Marci Baker from Ft. Collins, CO.  It was a lot of fun!  About 17 of us jammed into the basement at my mom's quilt shop and spent from 10 am to 4:30 pm learning how to make a 3-D quilt.  Mine is made with hot pink and purples which will eventually be placed on a charcoal background.  It will be gorgeous!  Pics to follow...

Bad haircut=bad month or so!

I have been quilting up a storm lately, which doesn't leave me a lot of time for beautification!  However, when I want to make an effort, I would like my hair to cooperate.  This brings me to my point...I hate a bad haircut!  The last time I went in a couple of weeks ago to the same girl that I always pay to cut my hair, I got what I thought was "my usual."  Sadly, I cannot do a thing with it!  It is so annoying that I have literally taken to just getting up in the morning and going to work without even bothering to comb it!  I am demoralized!  No amount of effort gives me the desired effect, and I know that it will be at least 4 more weeks before it grows out enough to do something else.  GRRRRR!  A bad haircut really does =a bad month (maybe longer!)