As you know, S took me to meet the family on Easter... His Dad's side of the family. We both figured it was time to meet the Mom's. S came with me to meet my parents. He said my mother is quite animated, so unlike me. LOL, he expected her to be quiet and laid-back like I am. Both my parents were quite talkative, and it seemed everyone got along just fine.
Later in the day, S's mother and stepfather were going to be passing through town so he invited them over to MY house. (I said "thanks" LOL) Luckily, my house wasn't too messy. We grilled out and invited them to stay to eat. I found it interesting that S gave them a tour of my house to show off my photography skills. Overall, it was a nice visit.
And not too painful, as far as "Meet the Parents" goes. :)
May 13, 2007
Happy Mother's Day
As I prepared the gifts for my mother for Mother's Day, I reflected upon what it must've been like for her to marry a serviceman and move halfway across the world at age 21. What strength it had to have taken to move thousands of miles away from everything she knew... work, friends, family... to a country where she knew no one.
For the first eight years of my life, my mom was a stay-at-home mom. She took care of her four small children. We lived in an old house in the country with no phone and she didn't know how to drive. My mom's only support line was my paternal grandma. From what I know, grandma made sure we all were OK when Dad was away.
Eventually, my mother learned how to drive and even got a job she stayed at for 12 years. She and my father moved out of the old house almost 30 years ago when they bought their first home, which they still live in. I can still see the excitement on her face the day my Dad stopped to look at the house when we were out for a drive. While my Dad was looking at the house, she came back to the car and told us kids to be very good so Dad would buy the house. It was a big step up for her (and my Dad), and she always tells people it's her "dream home".
She always took pride in her children, even to this day when she talks about us you can hear it in her voice. She has photos all over their house of her children and grandchildren, as well as her brothers, sister, and Mom. Family means a lot to her, and she tried to instill that value in her children. It's probably the reason none of us moved farther than 20 minutes away! LOL
More about my Mom: HERE
This brings me to Mother's Day... I bought her a big Pink Azalea bush, a small cactus that blooms pink flowers in the Spring (which she went bonkers over!). I also bought three pink helium balloons with various Mother's Day sentiments. Can you see a theme with pink here? My mother is a pink freak!
Wouldn't you know that the minute I stepped out of the car, the wind took the balloons off the cactus pot up into the trees?! My Dad, being the savior he tries to be, fashioned a long board with a hooked nail and got up on a step ladder to try to get the balloons. His leg cramped up and he quickly came down off the ladder and could hardly stand. Once it passed he wanted to try again! Silly guy!! I told him to leave the balloons up in the tree, but he wouldn't have it. He was determined to get them down, which he did. My mom was a happy camper, indeed. She loves all those cheesy things such as balloons and was already making plans to save them when the helium went out. LOL Kudos to Dad for saving Mom's balloons.
So We Finally Meet!
Unbeknownst to Deborah, the ILCS group has been working on a Quilt RAK for almost a year. Deb has been after me for quite a while to come visit her since I only live an hour and a half away. So when Wanda told Deb she was coming for a visit, Deb was very excited and wanted to invite me, too! LOL, little did she know it was already planned.
Deborah had been counting down the days for weeks prior to our visit. She was so excited to be able to meet Wanda and I. It made me smile every time I'd get an email and read the excitement building over this visit.
Wanda from Canada arrived late Thursday night, 8 hours later than planned due to problems with the plane. Poor girl had to go through customs twice! I arrived in IA around 11:30 on Fri, however due to my spectacular navigating skills I spend a LOT of time "touring" the city before I actually found Deborah's house. Wanda came out to greet me with a big hug! I also found out that Max had just come home from the hospital that very day! It was wonderful meeting Wanda, Max, & Deborah. After years of emails, it was like we were old friends.
Deborah showed us her stitching room... Boy, does she have stash! She also has stitching all over her walls. She has done some wonderful pieces. We were invited to the 84yr old neighbor's, who lives next door and also does stitching. She's done the most gorgeous stockings you've ever seen. She also has stitched light switch plates in every room. She's not a stash hoarder like *ahem* the rest of us are. LOL
When we were over there, Max decided to mow the lawn! Later, when we were reading his hospital release papers, it said he couldn't be lifting laundry baskets. I'm thinking if he can't do laundry, he shouldn't be mowing the lawn.
While chatting away, Wanda announced the real reason why we both came to see Deborah: The quilt RAK and pillow RAK's. I think Deborah went through a half box of Kleenex... she was so overwhelmed by the kindness of the group. She absolutely loved the quilt and pillows!
While I was there, Deborah gave me a hand-me-down from Miz Dee Dee II for Celeste: a cute little sunflower dress and matching hat. Celeste wasn't quite sure what to think about it, but she posed long enough for me to take a pic.
I left late Friday night with a standing invitation from Max and Deborah. I'm welcome back anytime! Boy, was I tired going home. I had a great time, though.
May 8, 2007
Honors Convocation
Tonight was the Honors Convocation... a recognition of the highest achieving students of the graduating class. I presented with the Phi Theta Kappa stole (National Honor Society), and a silver cord indicating that I graduated not only with Honors, but HIGH Honors. Both are to be wore at Commencement, and are mine to keep. I am so proud of myself!
A funny thing happened when the faculty was presenting me with my honors cord. It just so happened that my Music History instructor was presenting the cords. He said to me: "So we meet again" and proceeded to put the cord around my neck. As he did so, he bumped my cap which was then no longer seated properly and ready to fall off my head at any second. I still had three other faculty members who I had to shake hands with and then proceed off stage. As I did so, I continually had to adjust my cap to keep it from falling off. The college video taped the ceremony, so I'm the only dork on the tape who had problems with her cap. LOL
Much to my disappointment, not a single family member or friend bothered to take time to come and see me receive my recognition. Right now, I am feeling quite cynical thinking about all the events I've gone to for my family... and not one could come to support me.
First Try
Last night, I gave a go at hand-dyeing a piece of evenweave. I used the spray bottle method... not sure if I'm sold on that method. It came out darker than I anticipated, but I don't think it looks too bad for a first try.
I've had a lot of requests asking how I did this, so here goes:
I bought spray bottles at the Dollar Store ($1 ea). Put 1/8 tsp of powdered RIT dye in a quart sized spray bottle & then filled it halfway with HOT water. Shake it gently to mix until all is dissolved. You may want to fill up the rest of the bottle with water if you want lighter color. Get a piece of cardboard (a bit bigger than your piece of fabby) & cover it with plastic wrap. I used a trash bag that I cut open and taped it to the cardboard. I set the cardboard in my tub since I did it at night and it was dark outside. If it were daytime, I'd lean it up against something outside. Wet your material, crumple it up & place it on the plastic. Spray lightly to get the effect you want. Let it dry in the sun & then rinse till water runs clear. If you have some pieces laying around you might want to use them as "testers" before dong your main piece. This way if your piece is lighter than you like & you think you want to go darker you can just add more dye to the bottle , re-spray it & hopefully get the color you want & you'll know how much to put in the bottle for the next time.
