They're dropping like flies!

Here I sit, on Thanksgiving Day, blogging my heart out. You are probbly thinking I A) Have nowhere to go, or B) Am going to someone's house for dinner. WRONG! I had place(S) to be! I am NOT going to someone's house.

Yes, I am cooking on Thanksgiving and have time to sit, wine glass in hand (half empty- or is that half full?- bottle sitting nearby) aimlessly surfing the web. We turned down 2 invitations in order to have dinner at our house, and we did include the "inviters", who became the first flies to drop. That's ok, we still have my parents (whom I only last week found out that they were not going to the sibling's, as usual; what's up with that?) and my other "spawn with family".

My daughter always attends the "Command Performance" at her mother-in-law's; wouldn't dare suggest otherwise. That's ok with me because I get them for the entire Christmas celebration, beginning on Christmas Eve and ending somewhere after Christmas dinner. This is something which I came to accept early on. I learned how to pick my battles with the in-laws!
Another last minute game call-The Kid's mom has to babysit her younger brothers while her mother works, and she refuses to bring them here. Can't say I argued too hard on that one.
So, we are down to 5. That's fine with me-I still cook for 100. I have never, even after 36+ years of marriage, been able to figure out how to cook for 2. BUT, wouldn't you think that everyone could be a little bit early to watch some football or something? My mother has a long history of lateness. I remember once, when I was first married, having Thanksgiving at my Grandmother's with the whole family. Of course Big Daddy and I were there way ahead of time so that we could visit and have fun with my cousins before dinner. I know it was a 4 hour drive, but if I could do it, couldn't my mom? No. They arrived about an hour after dinner was set. I still can't figure out why she was annoyed that we had eaten without them; we did save them some. She complained that they left the dark meat (she likes white), the potatoes were cold, and there weren't any rolls left. Oh my!

I would never start without her but, she had better get here soon because I don't do this often and I want it to be good. Not only that, I am really hungry and I refuse to eat anything now and miss the pleasure of gorging myself intentionally later.

Besides, she has the pies!

I've been busy!

Well, I had some major technical difficulties last week but I am back and in full swing!

Today was really busy and the day flew by.

I had some towels to monogram for a Bridal Shower,

Taggies for a Baby Shower,

Custom blanket for the same shower,

Christmas

bib

And this is just too cute NOT to show.

I had a bride ask for something for her Flower Girls; This is what I came up with:

While You Wait

I don't know about you but, I hate waiting. I am impatient and I must have instant gratification. I had lots of that today.

I had to take my embroidery machine in to fix a self induced problem. The repair man told me to give him at least a few hours. No problem; I was in my old neighborhood (an hour away from home) so I planned to meet a friend (Just An Old Fashioned Gal) for lunch and maybe do a little shopping.

While I was shopping in Home Goods, I found a basket full of items, each one was right there waiting for me. I found a beautiful tablecloth and then found exactly 2 packages of 4 each, napkins, in the clearance aisle! Then I walked over to the toy aisle and found the perfect toy for The Kid--a balance board with a picture of his favorite thing, a duck!

After that, I turned around and there was my friend (she said she was tired of waiting for me)!

No waiting continued at the checkout line (no line). While I was paying, my phone rang and it was repairman letting me know that he had finished and my baby was ready!

We were pretty hungry so we jumped in our cars (yup, you guessed it; right in the first space) and went to a restaurant just down the street. Table for 2? Right this way! 12:30 and no waiting? Our food came out before we even had a chance to catch up.

This is what happens when you try to take a picture of yourself!

So in all, my day was great. After I left my friend at the restaurant, I was driving toward home when I saw the funniest thing. Well, it may not be funny to everyone but, it struck me so funny, I had to take a picture with my phone. I hope you can see it. Ok, it's too far away to see but here is what it says:

(Whoever)'s Art; Tattoos while you wait!

Since I hate waiting, I won't be going there anytime soon!

Oh, Yeah!!!!!!!! World Series, Baby!

No words needed!

Family Tree?

Many years ago, I was really into Geneology, tracing my mother's family back to 1700's Switzerland. I learned a lot, such as the difference between second cousins (the people in your family who have the same great-grandparents as you, but not the same grandparents), and cousins twice removed (there is a two-generation difference). It is all very confusing but eventually, you get the hang of it.

There is one family relationship that can't be explained, however.

My daughter-in-law's first child gave birth so that would be my "Great-grand", right? So far, so good.

Now, here is where it gets tricky. My mother adopted the little girl, so that would make her my "little sister"?!?

Yeah, my mom took on the responsibility under protest by my dad! He said, "absolutely not!" when they discussed it. He thought that it was too much trouble, and would take up a lot of time and effort, and they would lose their freedom. But once her saw her, he fell in love. So they became proud parents. They dote. They fuss. They spoil. They adore her! (All ad nauseam, I might add.)

However, my parents like to travel and sometimes it is not possible or appropriate for my great-grand/sister to accompany them. When that happens, they slyly ask if she can stay with us. Of course I say, "Yes"; she is no trouble at all. She practically takes care of herself and she loves the cats (We have 3). Plus we have a big fenced in back yard to play in and I can sew little clothes for her.

When they arrive, so does her little bag containing her washcloth, towel, toothbrush, hairbrush and hair accessories, and special toys. Her pillow also comes along, as well as a thermal bag filled with individual daily servings of pre-cooked oatmeal (I gag thinking about cooking the stuff).

She sleeps with Big Daddy and me; she loves to snuggle. My mom is a little annoyed about this because now she won't stay in her own room at home. Oh well!

She's so cute with curly black hair and black eyes. One can't help staring at her; everywhere my parents go, people remark how cute she is--even with the rather dominant underbite. Oh, would you like to see a picture of her?

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I think she is the best thing that ever happened to them; she gives them another reason to get up every morning, and is going to keep them young.

The Fork War: The Final Chapter

Last week I did an embroidery job for an old friend (remember the Fork War?). She needed a gift for a 90th birthday. I suggested a monogrammed pillowcase. Turns out, the birthday girl also loves to cook, so in addition to the pillowcase, I made an oven mitt.


During that same week, "Kevmeema"'s mother passed away after a lengthy illness. It was a really tough year for her. Even though I have never met her in person, I know that she is a really tough, strong woman; one that I admire.



A couple of days after I sent the package with the pillowcase and oven mitt, I received an email telling me that the package arrived as they were leaving the house to attend the funeral, and she didn't open it until the next day. Her email went on to compliment my "talent" and then she asked me what she owed me.



What price do you put on friendship? I felt that I owed her more than she owed me. She was always there when I needed someone to confide in. She helped me brainstorm when I started my business. She made brochures for me. She gave me ideas, incentives, encouragement to try, when I had less confidence in myself than she had in me-someone she hardly "knew". Once, she even helped me accept a new chapter in my life when The Kid was born and I became a grandmother!



I asked that she make a donation to her Mom's favorite cause...The Jersey Shore Animal Center, in Brick, NJ, where they had requested memorial donations in her mom's name. I expected negotiations to begin but I guess she realized how futile that would be. She agreed and I was happy; it was a done deal!



Two days later, a package arrived at my house. Since I was expecting a shipment of handkerchiefs from a supplier. I put the package in my sewing studio without looking at it. Several days passed before I noticed that it wasn't from the supplier, but from Kevmeema!



Somehow I just knew what was inside, even before I opened the package. I knew that she would think of something so special; that's the kind of lady she is. So, I carefully ripped the paper off and yanked the top off the box and threw it on the floor. Inside was the nicest gift I have ever received. A gift from

the best friend I never met.

The forks have come full circle and so has a wonderful Internet friendship--one that must certainly evolve soon.

But one thing, E, it is YOU who is a special lady!

Tag! I'm "it"!

I've been tagged! Not by just anyone, either! I was tagged by Just an Old fashioned Gal.

I know Marialena, personally and I can vouch for her being an old fashioned gal. She is also someone I call friend. We may not be "hang-out-together-do-lunch" type girlfriends, but she is definitely someone that I am proud to know. We have had more than a few encounters but this is one of my favorites:

This HAS to give you some idea what a hoot she can be! I love her!

Now, on to the tagging thing (which I can also credit her for teaching me).

Here are the rules:
1-Link to your tagger and list the rules
2-List 5 random facts about yourself
3-Tag 5 people
4-If you're tagged, play along and pass it on!

Here's the link to that fabulous life that I warned you would come up now and again:

1-I was an only child for 16 years but I am not the typical spoiled brat (I never lie, either)

2-I have been happily married for 36 years to my High School Sweatheart (and they said it wouldn't last. The secret? He travels....a lot!)

3-I've been to more countries than United States; not terribly proud of that (even though I had some really great times) but I am working on changing that next Spring

4-I went back to college at 47 and graduated summa cum laude; not like that woulda happened when I was 20!

5-I have very few friends my own age; most are more than 10 years younger than me. Who wants to hang out with old people anyway?

Ok, now this is the fun part....I am tagging:
Superbef
Taking Chances
Mrs T Rod

This is as far as I go. I am still so new to the blogging world that I don't really know anyone else well enough to intrude upon them. Jeez! I hope those that I did impose upon, don't mind!