my crazy real life

facebook has taken my life!

2009-07-05T17:45:00.002-04:00

Well.....since I have been on facebook I haven't been here....it's even taken the place of email.....since i see most of my friends on facebook i forget that not everyone is on there and that some are still reading the blog. My apologies to you....

Let's see....since i last wrote school is over as are my training classes. I learned a lot and they got me all geared for the fall. I am enjoying my summer too. I have been playing board games with my girls....we normally have game nights and they are always fun....Dave isn't into games...he watches tv and we are normally laughing up a storm. I like making memories.....

I have been saddened by the loses we have shared this past month. Ed McMahon, Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Karl Malden all have left the earth. They were people who were part of my growing years. As I write this I am listening to VH1's tribute to Michael Jackson. I felt as if I lost a peer.... i remember growing up with his listening to his music and watching him grow too and change. My only thoughts are with the families of these people and that their hearts are soon healed. No matter what your thoughts are of these people they have changed the face of the earth and no one can replace any of them!

My 31st class reunion is on the horizon and i can't put into words how excited I am to be going to this event. I have been helping the committee and its been great fun seeing friends from a long time ago and renew old and make new friendships...

I will try to write more often.....hope you have a great summer in case i don't get back here!!!

Happiness,

Marie

Where Have I Been?

2009-06-11T22:48:00.002-04:00

Well, to make a long story short I had a virus on my laptop! It was in the shop for about a week and when I got it back it only had the basic stuff on it. Outlook Express and Internet Explorer! I can do email and browse the net but there isn't anything else on the puter!

I have to start all over again. Right now I need to get things on here so that the girls and I can use this for school when we start again in the fall. Oh Joy!!!

Right now though school is out for the kids. I have training next week for two days and more training the following week. I get paid for it so that is good. I also have lots of sewing to do this summer so that is even better. I would like to sell a quilt or two but not sure if that will happen or not.

I also have some work to do over the summer to get ready for the kids in the fall. I brought lots of stuff home to work on this summer....i just hope i get to work on it....right now everything is just dumped in the studio. I will work on organizing it all this weekend.....

Talk to you soon!

Marie

Prom Dress pictures

2009-04-25T23:06:00.007-04:00

Hi! Ok I finally finished the prom dress. I posted some pictures on my facebook account but I know not everyone is on facebook. SO I am posting them here too. Desirae looks so beautiful and the dress came out really nice. I can't wait to hear how it all went tonight and find out what her friends thought of her dress. What do you think?

A Week in the Life...

2009-04-23T22:50:00.004-04:00

WOW! What a week. Monday started out normal and was a good day! This was the week the kindergarten to second grade kids were tested on the things they have learned this year. It was mostly about Reading. The kids did a great job and I am so proud of them.

Tuesday night after school I volunteered to help out at the concession stand at the baseball stadium. It was a college baseball game with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU the college I graduated from) and University of Florida (UF GO GATORS!) It was a long game and we sold lots of beer. The kids from JROTC run the stand, they cook the food, run the registers but the adults have to pour the beer. It was the 3 instructors and myself. I didn't find out about it until the day before. So I was on the run after work to get home, change clothes and get to the stand by 5:30pm!! I didn't get home until about 11pm and I was beat. We did have fun and it was a lot of fun and I think they made a lot of money too!

On Wednesday, our students watched a play rehearsal of a typical day at our school. Our 5th graders wrote the play and they did a great job! The students and teachers really enjoyed watching the production. Wednesday night I helped after school to grade the science fair projects. Our students turned in 132 projects. That is the most we have ever had and our science teacher was overwhelmed! It was lots of fun. Desirae even came to help out. We left school at 8pm when the custodians were closing up. We had to go to Joanns and Borders for a few items and then headed home. I got home at 9pm and did two loads of wash.

Thursday (today) should have been an easy day! It was the last day of our testing and we were lucky enough to have a child's author come to our school and give a presentation to our K-2 kids. It was a lot of fun and a nice way to end our last day of testing. I had a training class to attend tonight and we had a showcase of talent at my school. That is when we have the art projects on display for our parents to see. We also had teachers presenting the interactive white boards and how we use them during the day in our lessons with their children. I was going to do one of those but was scheduled to attend a training class. Then Desirae came to my school after she got out and told me I needed to attend the county JROTC awards. I was planning to attend to watch her get an award but she told me I was presenting an award to her school. I had no idea! Needless to say I had to leave the training class early and drive to her school. When I got to her high school I had to report in to the head honcho and he told me I was presenting 2 awards! It was fun but I would have liked an email to let me know more info in advance.

It was a great night and I love being with these kids. I am hoping that tomorrow will be a nice normal day. I am totally exhausted and plan on going to bed. Now you know why I have this name for my blog and the reason I don't post every day. I am not always here. Right now I am waiting for another load of laundry to be put in the dryer so I have clothes to wear to school tomorrow! I love my life and wouldn't change it for the world. This running around keeps me young and my mind sharp! (At least I keep saying that! LOL)

Have a good rest of the week.

Tiredly,

Marie

The new WASHER!

2009-04-06T19:26:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we bought a new clothes washer. We got it from Sam's Club and it's wonderful. It only has 7 wash cycles and there are 2 knobs on it. I guess you could call it an old fashioned washer. No computer to go bad from a power surge (which we have lots of here in the summer time with the crazy storms), 3 water temps to choose from and a smaller basket then I had before but that is fine with me.

I have done 2 loads of wash so far and I love it. And when the knob breaks I can still wash clothes using a pair of pliers!!! LOL.....

Today I did some customers quilts, 3 of them. They were really pretty and it was fun working on them. I also did one load of laundry and then folded and put away another load from last weekend. I still have one more to do but I will save that for tomorrow.

We went back to Barnes and Noble today and returned a book because Carol bought a book that she already had. Then went to the library and a quick stop at the grocery store for a loaf of bread.

After I worked on the quilts I played gamecube for a while. I am hooked on Animal Crossing and played for about an hour. It was very relaxing. Then I cooked dinner, put clean sheets on the bed and now I am ready to watch Dancing with the Stars while I do some sewing.

This was my first day on Spring Break and I am sure I will be really busy for the rest of the week too!

What are you doing this week?

Marie

Wonderful kids!

2009-04-01T21:34:00.002-04:00

My girls are the best! We have a washing machine that has been on its last legs for a while now and it finally died this past weekend! So my amazing girls went to the laundromat for me and did 9 loads of wash! Then they brought it home and I spent the rest of the day drying those 9 loads.

They could have done many things but helped me out. I was upstairs working on quilts for my customers. Thanks to them I was able to get a lot done that day.

Carol my youngest comes to my elementary school every day after her high school gets out. Today she helped me put up my bulletin board in the hallway. She is a great help to me and when I am not in school she comes and helps out the substitute teacher that may be in my class. Desirae use to come to my class to last year before she got her job so now she only comes in once in a while. I like it when she comes in because then all my filing gets done! Carol helps the kids pack up at the end of the day, she records their behavior in their agendas (whether they were good or bad during the day)...and helps them with Reading or sometimes Math. Now in the high schools here the kids needs a certain amount of volunteer hours before they can graduate so this will help both of them in that area.

Carol also does my art work for my bulletin board. I will take some pictures of the one that is up now. She has made me a duck (that you will see in one of the next posts) and the gingerbread house that I had up at Christmas time. She is very talented. She also created the lady bug drawing that the kids colored and glued spots on for the bulletin board this month. I wouldn't know what to do without her.

I know there are lots of people who have problems with their kids but I am proud to say that my girls haven't really given me any trouble. They aren't perfect but we always talk and when something is bothering them we do talk. I like when they come home and we sit in my studio and talk about their days. It reminds me of when I use to do the same thing with my mom. Of course it makes me miss my mom too. She would love to sit in on these chats and be a part of their lives. I really miss my mom alot.

Well that is all for now. I have two more days of school and then it's spring break. I can't wait. This week I have been tutoring kids afterschool getting them ready for the Stanford 10 test. This is a state test to see how well the kindergarten thru 2 grade are learning the skills they need in each grade. We have one more session tomorrow after school and then two more after we get back from spring break.

Tomorrow we are having an Easter Egg hunt at school for the kinder kids and that should be fun. I was worried that I wouldn't have enough for my class so I bought some plastic eggs at the store and some candy and filled about 30 eggs tonight. I hope more kids are bringing stuff in tomorrow. I will let you know how we make out.

Later,

Marie

A good Day!!

2009-03-21T16:04:00.002-04:00

Today was a good day.I finally got some quilting done. I did 4 quilts for customers and it was nice making some extra cash. I also didn't have to wash any clothes today and that was great too!! While I was quilting I was able to listen to my iPod and some great oldies....

At lunchtime my daughter bought me a chicken sandwich and that was cool too. Dave then told me some great news. He was able to find the leak in the roof on the motor home. That is really good news and we are going to get them fixed, we just have to save the money for that. And I thought we were going to need a new water heater for the RV too but he said it was just the knob that needed to be replaced. So that was a good thing to hear as well.

My boss called me this week and she has more sewing for me to do over spring break and that is good news too. I have been busy this week sewing for her and I need more money so it's good to be hearing this from her.

I just got back from the grocery store (ALONE!) and was able to get some things we needed and save some money since I didn't have any teenagers or husband with me. LOL...Why do we spend so much more at the store when one or all of them are with us I will never know.

So what wonderful things have you been up to? I still have to finish this baby quilt for my friend in Canada. She had her wonderful son and I want to get it to her before he outgrows it.

Later folks,

Marie

We have returned!

2009-03-15T20:22:00.004-04:00

We just came back from another successful camping trip with JROTC from the Lee County schools. What a great time! It brought back lots of memories and we had a blast. The kids had time to chill for a while and then the fun started. On Saturday we got up early, 6am and raised the flag and had revely. Then breakfast and LET THE GAMES BEGIN! We had a volleyball competition, tug of war, relay race that consisted of the barrel race, canoeing and sprinting between all the schools. The end of the day brought a dinner catered by the County and it was great. I got to help serve ice cream to all the cadets and cadre! I loved it and got to see lots of my new friends and friends kids who are now going thru the program. Then it was back to our campsite for a night of movies! The CSM (Command Sergeant Major) of our school (South Ft. Myers High) brings out a generator, movie screen and sound system and we watch movies. The kids bring out their camping chairs and sleeping bags and we all sit and watch. It's fun and the kids love it. We have fire watch because we are in the dry season now and can't have fires so we watch to be sure there aren't any. I am adding some pictures here of the amphitheater in the front of the campground and also of the bus ramp. Tomorrow I am going to add pictures from when WE were there and you can see parts of that place haven't changed much in 30 something years. Tell me what you think.

Marie (ROTC ROCKS!)

Fun Day!

2009-03-01T19:09:00.002-05:00

Today was a fun day for me. I got to spend most of the day with the JROTC kids from South Ft. Myers HS. We were at the Red Sox and Twins game running a consession stand. The kids cook and prep the food and run the cash registers. The adults pour the beer. We have the best time and the kids earn tips toward their program at school and also a portion of the sales go to the JROTC unit.

I can only help out on weekends and I have another game in April I can go to. It's a blast and we have fun doing it to. The kids are awesome and do a great job.

This coming weekend is the state competition for these same kids in Lakeland Florida. We leave on Friday ( I asked for the day off so I can go) and the competition is Saturday. We have a great time on the bus as well as at the competition. It's a busy weekend and we have late and early hours but another fun time. We leave around 10 am on Friday and get there a little after lunch. We settle into our rooms and the kids start practicing in the parking lot. After practice we wash up for dinner and head to the local mall for some shopping and dinner. Then back to the hotel for some swimming, (the kids not the adults!) and then to bed after we make sure the kids have everything ready for the next day's competition. Sometimes I help the kids iron their shirts and make sure their boots are shined and the uniforms look good.

We get up early (430am) on Saturday and make sure the kids are dressed and all packed up. We board the buses and head to George Jenkins High School for the day. After the competition we board the buses and drive for a while then stop for dinner then continue home. The kids will be dead tired by then but it's great. There will be one instructor going and 3 chaperones. We have lots of fun and I can't wait. It's like a mini vacation for me.

I will post again next week after the competition and let you know how we made out. Most of this week I have to get my lesson plans ready for Friday and also next week.

Talk to you soon!

Marie

Time is the enemy!

2009-02-20T19:44:00.002-05:00

Well I have found facebook.....I kinda went into it kicking and screaming because I was having trouble with my computer and the virus....now its all fixed....so facebook is working again....I am having lots of fun meeting up with my friends from ELEMENTARY school......what a blast.....I am loving it and also meeting up with friends from high school.

We are also in the middle of planning our 31st high school reunion....it was for last october but the timing was off so now we are shooting for this summer....I am on the committee to help out and I am looking forward to it......We have a conference call next week to talk over some of the details...

I have been very busy at work and even brought stuff home this weekend to get done. Tomorrow is a busy day...we are going to a meeting to see how to finance college for my two girls and then we have the big Edison Pagent of Light parade tomorrow night. I use to march in that parade when I was in ROTC in high school and now my daughter does it and I am a chaperone. I love doing this. So we have to be at the high school at 2:30pm tomorrow and the parade is at 7:30pm at night. I will tell you all about it tomorrow or Sunday.

I have been fighting a migraine tonight and not winning. I took some aspirins at school before I left but I still have a pounding head. I am going to get more to take a little later and then head to bed.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Marie

SICKES!!! ALL SICKES!!!!

2009-02-08T19:08:00.002-05:00

I am so sick of being sick AGAIN!!!! Desirae missed school all last week because she had the flu....like I had a few weeks back....Carol got it yesterday and is running a temp of 101.2, so no school for her tomorrow....right now Dave is also coughing.....and I have a temp of 100. Now I have to go to school tomorrow so I am going to be heading to bed pretty soon with a dose of nyquil....i just need to get thru the day and get home fast at the end of the day....

Of course all the kids at school are sick, 2 teachers on my team are sick and with the stupid temps being from 31 to 50 here in COLD SOUTHWEST FLORIDA! It's no wonder we are sick....I can't wait for the summer....I would rather be warm than this cold....We have had more fires in the fireplace this winter then all the years we have lived here which are 8 years.

Desirae went to the docs on friday and got some meds so she is doing good. If Carol doesn't get better tomorrow I will have Dave take her in also.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.....we need to get over this once and for all!!

Pass the tissues!!

Marie

Where am I?

2009-01-29T21:59:00.002-05:00

I have a confession to make.....I am addicted to gamecube!!! My daughters have Animal Crossing and I was bored a few weeks ago and got hooked on this game......I come home from work and just play until bedtime.....and I do take time out for dinner but that is it.....

I haven't been reading email either....or playing and finding stuff on the computer....I think its because work is getting stressful. I have 15 students who don't speak English as their first language...most of them are doing well but I got a new student today who only speaks Spanish. Its a good time for me to practice my Spanish. Plus the kids are just wearing me out....LOL....but I am enjoying working with them.

So other then that nothing much has been happening......I have been working on some quilts but nothing serious.....I will get better at the blogging again...

This Saturday is the JROTC countywide competition and I will be there to help out. I get to help the girls uniforms to make sure they are ok and all the same....then I get to cheer on my high school kids....I love hanging out with them....they are the ones that keep me young....I will tell you how they made out....

Hugs

Marie

Out with the Old and In with the New!

2009-01-04T21:33:00.002-05:00

Well today was cleaning day....I started right after breakfast. I didn't do much but I did get lots of junk thrown out. I cleaned out two shelves on a bookcase. Now you may say that isn't much but we can pack a lot of garbage in 2 shelves. I had almost all of my college papers still there in the binders. So out all the papers went in the recycling bin and I am taking the binders to school for my kids to use when theirs break or fall apart. I have 18 binders to bring to school. Once I was done with that I put the other items from another bookcase into those two shelves and cleaned out the other bookcase so I can sell it. I never did like it much but I needed it and it was free. It served us well and now it's time for it to move on.

I still need to do more in the dining room but this was a great start. I also took down the quilts and washed them and rehun them so the are all clean now too. I dusted the living room and rehung those newly washed quilts for that room too. I don't know how to paint but I quilt up a storm so I hang my quilts in my home. I love how they look. Then I moved into the kitchen and cleaned that. Then I quit for the day because I was pooped!! LOL

I played on game cube for a while and the computer, cooked dinner, took a shower and played gamecube again. It was a good day.

Tomorrow we all go back to school so I wanted to rest up. I still haven't done any scrapbooking like I wanted to. I might tonight yet. It's too early to go to bed.

I hope you all had a great weekend. Talk to you later.

Marie

How I spent the day!

2009-01-02T18:07:00.002-05:00

A few years ago Santa brought us Nintendo gamecube.....and the girls stil play on it and they have been playing a game called Animal Crossing. They have done this for years......and I am always too busy to play...but this Christmas break I didn't bring anything home so I have had lots of time on my hands.....so I learned how to play the game and its a lot of fun.

We asked Santa for a Wii but he couldn't find any in time for Christmas so we are still waiting....LOL.....I am going to get one but I also have to wait until the stores stock back up with them here in town because they sold out for Christmas. There is also an Animal Crossing game for the Wii so I thought I should learn the easy one first. LOL....well now they have me hooked on it...I played all day today and didn't do anything else. It was great.

Tonight though I think I am going to scrapbook for a little while....and then I might go play again.....LOL...

What wonderful things have you all done in the first 2 days of the new year?

Marie

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008-12-31T17:58:00.002-05:00

Before the night gets away from me I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Today is the last day of the year and a time for memories and some new plans for 2009.

This year was defintely different. My hubby went from working daily to maybe working weekly due to the economy and the downfall in the construction industry. But that is ok because we made it thru the year and that is all that matters. My girls had a good year and that is GREAT. Their grades are up and one is working and paying on her truck so all is good there. I have a good job and I hope to keep it for a while.

We are very blessed. We have clothes to wear, food to eat, a home to give us shelter, dogs and a cat who think we are wonderful, job to help pay for our needs and wants, and friends who make it all worthwhile and our families.

I hope we can continue this in the coming year and remember how much we have to be thankful for. I know its not Thanksgiving but the new year does make you thankful for what you have.

I don't make resolutions anymore because I can never keep them. I make simple plans and ideas that I would like to carry out throughout the year. This plan has served me well in years past. This is going to be the year of cleaning. I am not going to kill myself cleaning my house but I do want to make it a little more presentable and not so dumpy. I work many hours and don't feel like cleaning when the weekends come around. So this year I am going to use the FlyLady techniques I learned years ago. Do something for 15 mins at a time. If you set a timer for 15 mins and just work you can't imagine how much you can do in that time frame. Try it and let me know what you think.

Have a wonderful New Year celebration tonight. My children and I will be staying up and eating and playing games and waiting to ring in the new year. Not sure if my husband will be staying up or not but that is ok. The dogs will since we will have food....LOL

Hugs and happiness to you all!

Marie

Cleaning up (finally LOL)

2008-12-28T14:43:00.002-05:00

Today I started cleaning out the house. Now I am not talking steady cleaning until something is really clean....LOL....that isn't my style. I cleaned out the foyer. I had this holder thingy leftover from one of the girls rooms. They used it to store their beanie babies. So I cleaned it out and its in the back of my car. I also got rid of the junk that was on the holder thingy! So now the foyer almost looks normal. I still have some boxes in there but I am getting ready to ship out some quilts and other things so they will be gone in another day or so.

The girls have been cleaning out their rooms for a while and the stuff was piled in the hallway upstairs. So today I started bringing some of the stuff down and putting it in the car. I know you are probably saying to yourself, Why doesn't she have the girls help her? Good question but I like to see what they are getting rid of. Not all the stuff needs to go to the Goodwill store. In their baby clothes for their dolls I found some of their baby clothes that they played with. Those need to get cleaned and kept for their little ones someday. I just kept a few things but I can't get rid of them. It's slowly getting done and all the stuff upstairs won't fit in my car anyway. I think it will take me a while to get it all to Goodwill but that is ok.

My goal for '09 is to also finish the house. I asked Dave to put the motor home in the driveway tomorrow and take off the door to our bathroom closet. That way I can stain it and it will be done. When we moved in 8 years ago the crazy inspector said we had to have the doors on all the closets even if they weren't finished. So now that I am not too busy with school and everything else I am going to start doing a little on the house too. Starting with the 3 doors that need staining. I am hoping to get these done before January is over. That is a reasonable goal to reach.

That is my only resolution for '09. To get the house cleaned up and straightened out and organzied. Plus get some sewing and fun stuff done for me too!! LOL

So what are your plans for '09??

Marie

The Day After...

2008-12-26T14:41:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone had a great Christmas yesterday. We slept in and that was a nice feeling. I actually had to wake up the 17 year old so we could unwrap the gifts. LOL That was a first ..I remember when they used to wake us up. The rule in our house is that you have to wait until everyone is up and we have eaten something before we can open presents. Well that was easy to do this year. Hee Hee!!

Carol handed out all the gifts and we opened them. It was fun and the dogs had the best time. They loved their cookies and got to eat them right away....they also open their own presents and if they weren't too busy eating their cookies they would help open ours!

Everyone loved their gifts and I started cooking right away with my new pots and pans. I know that is a strange gift but I really need new ones and was thrilled to get them!

Santa brought us the new Monopoly game without money but with the debit cards! WOW! It is so cool. We stopped playing and then started again a few hours later and the machine remembered how much money we had. We stopped for the night and recorded what properties we had and where we were on the board. If we get home early tonight from dinner we will finish the game. I don't think I have ever finished a monopoly game before. We now have 4 versions of it, the original game that my parents bought me a thousand years ago, the here and now version with the millions of money, the dog version of it, (really cool to play) and the here and now world version with the debit cards....I think we are starting a trend to get all the monopoly games we can find. I am still looking for the peanuts version....LOL

We also played Don't Forget the Lyrics. That is a riot because all the songs are oldies and some are really oldies and my girls don't know that many of them. So they got mad at me because I knew the words to the songs. But they knew some too and it was great watching them try and remember the words. We like playing games but its only the 3 of us, dave doesn't play the games with us.

Tonight we are going to dinner at a friends house from high school. I am looking forward to seeing her and her family. It's been a very long time since we have seen each other.

Hope you all had a great holiday.

Marie

Two days before Christamas!

2008-12-23T14:25:00.002-05:00

Well I finally finished my Christmas shopping today. Now I have to make some cookies. I am only making peanut butter and Chocolate Chip cookies. I will do those tomorrow morning while I am wrapping the final gifts.

We are all still sick here. I am going to church tomorrow night but it might just be me that goes. I don't think hubby will go since he is sicker then the rest of us and needs his rest. I might be able to get my daughter Carol to go but not sure. Desirae will be working so she won't be able to go.

We were to see my new nephew today and my sister in law but with us being sick we are just staying home. We did take the dogs out to Petco this morning to get thier gifts. They got to smell everything and got lots of treats from the manager. He has 3 shepards at home so he loved gretchen and then who can't love daisy who gives tonz of kisses to everyone.

We got home and made lunch and couldn't find daisy. We thought she was in the back yard but couldn't find her. Looked upstairs and no luck there either. I went out the front door and there she was in my neighbor's yard sniffing around. Not fun at all. Seems the back gate was blown open by the wind and she took off. I opened the car door and she came running across the street right into the car. Then I grabbed her and we walked into the house together. I then took a clothes line from the motor home and tied the gate door shut. Not a perfect job but it won't blow open again and she won't escape.

If you go see the movie Marley and Me this season that is pretty much my labrador. She wasn't as bad as he was as a puppy but she came awful close. She loves rides in the car and if the window is open and you don't hang on to her she will walk or more likely run faster then the car can go. She is something else.

That is about all our news from here. Of course hubby is sick so he has had work the last two days. I don't think he will work tomorrow but he might for a half day. I hope he stays home and gets the rest he needs.

I hope you all have a great Christmas. We are going to be quiet this year. Nothing going on...just chilling at home and trying to get better faster.

Marie

Sick Days!

2008-12-19T18:12:00.003-05:00

Good Evening all!!

I have been sick for the last two days. I hope now that I am on Winter Break I can post more. Last night my temp hit 100 and I took my trusty old Nyquil and went to bed at 8:30pm!! I never go to bed that early but it felt great. I am going to bed early tonight too but not that early.

Today was the last day of school and I didn't want to miss it. I will post more this weekend. I still have to do my Christmas shopping. I haven't started yet!

Hugs,

Marie

Christmas Traditions

2008-12-10T20:52:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone, I didn't realize I haven't posted in a while. It's been a nutty place at school. The kindergarten classes are performing next week and we have been practicing every afternoon for 45 minutes. The kids are singing, Jingle Bell Rock, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Up on the Housetop, Feliz Navidad, and We wish you a Merry Christmas. There are also hand motions that go along with it. Today's practice was great. The kids are really learning the words and the hand motions. In between the songs are poems that some of the kinder kids are reading and they are just too cute for words!

Tonight our 5th grade choir sang the same program and they did a great job. It was at the local Barnes and Noble store so my daughter and I went. We also had dinner at McDonalds as that was a fund raiser for our school. So we had to eat fast and get to the book store. These 5th graders are very special to me because they were the first class I ever taught. They opened our school 4 years ago and were my second graders. I love these kids. They are so grown up and I can't believe they are going to middle school next year. They did a wonderful job. Of course we couldn't leave without buying books. I didn't see anything I liked but Carol was able to find 5. I am sure she would have liked more but I had to keep her on my budget! She is trying to read one now but I am watching Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

I love watching these old shows. I remember watching them every year on TV as a child in my PJ's. And having to go to bed when they were over. Remember about 10 years ago they even quit showing them on TV for some reason. My kids were little then and I remember telling them about these shows. Then they finally started showing them and I would watch them every year without fail. Then they started coming out on VHS and DVD and I have them all. It's just not Christmas until they show them on TV and even though I have them on DVD it's much more special when they are on TV. I feel the same way about White Christmas. They don't always show that one so I bought it and now have 2 copies of it, (VHS and DVD). I never heard of or watched It's a Wonderful Life until I met my husband. We used to watch it after Thanksgiving each year (with the kids) and then it disappeared from the TV. I finally found it and bought it for my husband. So now when it's not on TV we can watch it whenever we want to.

I know I might offend some folks here and I don't mean to but we can't stand to watch The Christmas Story. I have never understood what was so great about that show. Can someone tell me? I think some really great new shows have come out over the year. I like watching Ebbie with Susan Lucci and A Mom for Christmas with Olivia Newton-John and the movie with Dolly Parton and Lee Majors....I can't remember the name but my daughter has those DVD's....oh yeah the other one I like is with Mimi Rogers, the Christmas List....GREAT!!!!

ok time to get back to sewing. I got some work in and that is another reason for not posting. I will be posting more this weekend. One more week of school and then we are off for two weeks. Can't wait!!!

Marie

Face? Space? Blog?

2008-12-02T19:27:00.003-05:00

Ok So what is the difference between facebook? myspace? and blogspot? Isn't the main reason people have these items to keep up with folks? I like this one because it's easy and fun to use and change around...

A friend asked me to join facebook and I did but I have no idea what that is all about...and I can barely remember to add stuff here let alone at another location....HaHa! So I am just going to stick with what I know and here I am.

We have a fire going tonight. I know you are thinking we are nuts to have a fire in Florida but the temps are really going down tonight ....into the 40's and that is cold. I am so sure that one year we are going to get snow again...its just a matter of time...we have had cooler weather since right before Thanksgiving and I know its going to happen soon. The temps will warm up for a few days and then turn cold again.

I have Christmas songs running through my head already. As I have mentioned before I teach kindergarten and we are practicing every day for our Holiday concert. The kids are singing 5 songs and learning the hand motions that go along with them. We practice for about 40 mins a day and also have the music playing in the morning and during the day while they are working on other projects like coloring. They are learning the words to the songs but now we are working on the hand motions....When they get it all together (all 147 of them) they are really cute to see. They are performing this on 17 and 19 December during the day so their parents can come. Should be interesting.

I finished another older cross stitch project last night. It was a birthday bear that I bought someone for a gift but have no idea who it was for. And now I am not sure what I am going to do with it either. But right now it's on the cutting table waiting for a frame.

Well I have some school work to do and maybe some sewing. Not really sure. But at 8pm I am going to be watching Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I have it on DVD but its more special to watch when it comes on TV!! I love those old shows and watch all of them. I have already seen the cartoon version of the Grinch 3 times. I love it...not the movie the original...can't beat it!!

Marie P.S. Here is another part of my village. This was from my mom's village. It's the honeymoon cottage. I just love it. Hope you do to!!

2008-12-01T19:58:00.005-05:00

OK I took my camera to work today and got pictures of my bulletin board. I think this is the best idea I have ever had. The kids loved doing it and it came out so cute. My daughter Carol drew the gingerbread house in the upper corner and colored it using construction paper. She is wonderful and a great artist!

The background is covered in tin foil and the kids wrote sentences about the story then colored the gingerbread man. The main hallway in our school is the kindergarten hallway and it's through this hallway that all the visitors pass so it must look good. I try and show the student's best work. This is the first time they wrote sentences and I am so proud of them. When they first came to me some didn't even know if they were left or right handed! Tell me what you think??

The words say "You can't catch us...

We're the gingerbread class!"

This is the great house my daughter made for me!

Till Tomorrow!!!

Marie

a busy Friday!

2008-11-30T10:36:00.010-05:00

I got lots to share today. Not sure if I can get everything in here in one post but if I can't I will finish it tomorrow night. First, I finished a cross stitch project that I have been working on forever. Here is a picture of it. Now all I have to do is get a frame for it. I will get that the next time I am in Joann's. I know it's not a quilt UFO but it's good to get something else done.

After we went shopping for a while we came home and set up the decorations. Here is a picture of our fireplace. We put up a stocking for all the people that live here (4), the older kids out on their own (2), and the dogs (2) and Desirae's new boyfriend (1). Here is how it looks!! I love it. We didn't have a fireplace up north and I just love how it looks. Of course our temps will be dropping this week and then the stuff on the hearth will come off and we will have a fire going...the dogs love laying in front of it.... :)

While I was growing up we always had a village at Christmas time under the tree. We had houses, people, cars and ice skaters and of course our nativity set. As the years passed the houses and items started falling apart. When we moved to Florida my mom started working with plastic canvas and made a whole new village for her and also for me. She made me a gingerbread village and I just love it. I am posting some pictures of the villages and also some of the gorgeous handmade ornaments we put on the tree. We used to put up 3 trees but with the dogs we only do one now. The great part is that I had enough ornaments for them all!!!

These are ornaments my mom made many years ago. The circle one is a tuna can. I just love it. She designed some of these on her own and some were kits but it's been so long I can't remember which ones are which. But they are beautiful aren't they?

OK I will post more tomorrow. I am going to take my camera to work and get a picture of the bulletin board and will post that too!!

Happy Holidays!!

Marie

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

2008-11-27T16:50:00.003-05:00

I want to take this time to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and hope you are spending the day with family and friends.

Today my daughters and I woke up at 830am and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I just love watching it and we have been doing this since they were little kids. We have a blast doing it too. Of course the turkey was in the oven cooking and was smelling sooo yummy we were getting hungry.

While we were watching it I was crocheting a scarf for my younger daughter Carol. She bought this great yarn and it's been challenging to work with but it's coming out so great.....I know she will like it. I am going to fnish it early so it will be an early Christmas present.

We ate early today so my older daughter Desirae could eat with us before she goes to work. It was nice being together. It was just the 4 of us and the dogs. A very quiet day, but we managed to eat plenty!!! And now we are waiting to eat our pies but I think that will come much later tonight!

Daisy our labrador is in my room as I type this waiting to eat dinner. Mind you, she and Gretchen (the german shepard) have already sampled the turkey we had and now they are wanting their dinners. And the cat is waiting too!!

I finished another project last night while watching TV. It was a cross stitch that I had been working on for about 3 years. It feels good to finish something. Now I have to find a frame for it so I can hang it up in the house.

We have 5 days off from school for the holiday and it feels good to get some rest. We have been really busy at work. I had to get my bullentin board done in the hallway and it is awesome. My daughter Carol, the artist, drew me a beautiful gingerbread house. She used construction paper to "color" it and then I laminated it at school. I read the Gingerbread Man, the Gingerbread Baby, and the Gingerbread Boy to the kids at school. Then I had the kids color a Gingerbread Man and they wrote sentences. We covered the bulletin board in tin foil so the gingerbread men looked like they were coming out of the oven. When I go back to school I will take my camera and take a picture and post it here on Monday night. It's really cute. I love how it came out.

I am going to spend the rest of the night working on a mitten wall hanging and keep working on the scarf!!

Have great night!!

Marie

Quilt Retreat Weekend

2008-11-16T19:00:00.002-05:00

WOW!!! I had fun this weekend. I belong to the Stashbusters group and this was the weekend for the at home retreat. The object is to do as much quilting as you can. I started the day making the backings for 3 quilt tops that I assembled this weekend using leftover blocks. Years ago I belonged to AOL and joined every block swap there was. I have so many blocks. I made most of them into quilts for the house but I can only use so many quilts living in Florida. So most of the quilts I make I donate either to the Breast Cancer Society or the Quilts of Valor. I finished 4 tops using blocks that were left over from swaps and who knows where some of them came from. I also used fabric from my stash to make the backings. And I used strips and squares left over from other projects to assemble the tops.

They are about lap size quilts and I loved working on them. I have another one on the design wall but I am done for tonight. I found 3 blocks that had parts ironed on and now I am going to satin stitch them down before they go into a quilt. Then I am going to be making more baby booties. There is a place in South Dakota who needs help with all sorts of items to help their citizens get through those rough winters. Here is the link http://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/projects/Sewing_Supplies_for_the_Kateri_Circle_Sewing_Group.shtml

I think they are a great charity and if you can spare anything please send it to them. I might send the 4 UFO quilts that I put together to them once I get them quilted. So I am going to be making some baby booties and hats to send them. I found some baby yarn today in one of my baskets.

We have a full week of school this week and I am going to be out 3 nights this week in a class. It's a great class, it helps experienced teachers mentor new teachers and we can also work with college students who need classroom experience teaching. I am looking forward to doing that. The class is great and I am really enjoying it.

I have the turkey in the freezer and the week after next I will get the rest of the items for our dinner. It's just going to be the 4 of us this year. I hope the older kids call their dad, that always makes the holiday better for him.

Keep sewing!!!

Marie

Happy Belated Veteran's Day!

2008-11-12T20:13:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was Veterans Day and I chaperoned the JROTC high school kids marching in the parade. I love going to this parade. It's held in the next town to me and the people really came out to see this parade. It's the third time I have marched with the kids and I think this was the best turnout the parade has had.

The kids and adults loved seeing them and cheered us on. We had two groups, one group just marched and sang Army cadence (marching) songs and the other group was spinning 14 pound rifles while they marched. The last group is the one my daughter was in. They are amazingly talented kids. We had 55 kids in the parade from our high school but over 300 from the whole county. That is wonderful.

I had a doctor's appointment in the AM and all was ok so far. Still have more appointments with other docs to complete my complete physical, I think you get the idea!!

I have a new quilt on the design wall and CMA Country Music Awards on for a while. I also finished another quilt yesterday. This is an old underground railroad quilt I made about 5 years ago and I am going to send this to my friend in Colorado again. I am going to fill another box and I hope to have 4-5 quilts (all UFO'S) in the box before I send it.

I am charging the camera tonight and will get a picture of it and the one baby quilt for my granbaby CoryAnn (who will make her grand entrance in January 09) and post them here on Friday night.

I have a class to go to after school tomorrow and won't get home to do much on the computer. After a day with the kinder kids and then a 3 hour class on top of that I will be wiped out.

Keep sewing and quilting and making people happy!!!

Marie....this is our Lab Daisy who is my official quilt checker. This quilt passed her inspection and thought it was a good one!!!

The latest pictures

2008-11-09T19:17:00.007-05:00

Ok I finally downloaded the pictures off the camera. Here is what I have...

These are the 4 charity quilts that are going to Alycia's 400 Quilts of Valor. I am going to wrap them up tomorrow and get them in the mail. These are also UFO's that have been sitting around waiting for a home. I am so excited to have these quilts going to the soldiers from my old unit and my dad's. I quilted another one today and have to finish putting the binding on it yet. This will go into my next box to Alycia. I finished the Christmas quilt and now I am getting another UFO ready to put together. This one is really out there so I am going to iron the blocks and live with it on the design wall for a while.

Happy Quilting!

Marie

We are going to be....

2008-11-08T17:13:00.002-05:00

GRANDPARENTS!!!! Isn't that cool. My step-daughter is going to have a baby in January and we are very excited about this news. Mom and baby are doing fine according to my daughter who is in contact with her over their MYSPACE accounts. She also called her dad (my dh) to tell him last week. Today he told his parents that they are going to be great-grandparents again. They are very happy too. We know the baby is a girl so I have one pink quilt all set and ready for quilting...I need to make the backing and buy the batting this coming weekend. Today I found some scraps that a friend gave me and started playing around with the squares. I made a really cute middle part of a quilt and then started a new technique I have wanted to try and now I am in the middle of another quilt for the new baby. I also finished the purple and green quilt for my step daughter. She will be getting a box of goodies pretty soon. I just have to get a good sized box so I can send all the goodies to her. I also want to make her a set of booties and a sweater for the baby. I have to get more yarn for that.

I worked on a customer quilt today and then took the day off. We are going out to dinner in a few minutes and then I am coming home to finish the baby quilt. I will post a picture later tonight of the pink quilt.

Happy Saturday!!!

Marie

Halloween stories!

2008-11-06T19:56:00.003-05:00

I thought I had posted this but I completely forgot about Halloween. I was so happy not to have to give out candy I even forgot about the blog!!! AAARRGGHHH!!!!

My daughter and her friend handed out candy to all of about 15 kids that came to our door! But they had fun and that is all that matters.

At our school we had a storybook parade....some of the grade levels had a theme but everyone had to dress up....even the principal (she was a witch) and the assistant principal was a pirate. The kindergarten team (my team) were witches and we had our pictures taken for the yearbook and also one with the principal. We were teasing her that she was the head of the coven....LOL...She has a great sense of humor and we all had a great laugh.

The kids had the best time in school. They came in wearing their costumes and once the announcements were over we started trick or treating in the hallway. The lights go down low and the music comes on and we all parade around the school and the kids get candy. Then we did some Halloween activites and watched, "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!". I love watching that movie and have seen it 3 times this year already! (I love Snoopy!)

My daughter was a vampire and we got a great black cape for her (I wore it to school for my witch costume) and then she bought some fake vampire teeth. They are pretty cool, they fit to her teeth and she wore them at her school and also at mine. The kids loved them. She scared one of my little boys until she showed him that they come off and are fake and then he was fine. Here is a picture of her "new teeth".

They are great and she loved them.

I am so excited about this weekend. We have off for 4 days. Monday is a hurricane make up day so we are off and then on Tuesday its Veterans Day and we are off then. I have a doctors appt. on Tuesday and then I am going to chaperone the Veterans Day parade with my older daughter. She is marching in the Veterans Day parade with her JROTC unit and I go with them. I love being with the older kids after being with the little ones all day.

I am looking forward to finishing some major quilt projects this weekend too. And maybe even making a new pair of pants and a skirt for school. I will let you know.

Later!!!

Marie

Getting organized!

2008-10-26T13:28:00.005-04:00

I got a great idea from a quilting friend. We are both on a list to help us use up our existing fabric for quilts and not buy anything new. Well if you could see my studio you would know that isn't a problem for me at all. The problem I have is that I have so many things started I can't get them all done. Her plan was to pick 6 things to finish in a 6 month period of time. So I have picked my 6 today and here they are......

1.) Christmas quilt that my best friend started....it was her UFO and now i am going to finish it and give it back to her for her grandkids.....i have one more block to do and then start putting the top together.....

2.) Hand quilt and bind and label my birthday stars quilt

3 & 4 & 5 ) Bind and quilt 3 quilts for Alycia's Quilts for Quilts of Valor

6.) Complete i new quilt using stash! and quilt and label it.....

I am really excited about this and will use the blog to keep everyone updated on my progress and include pictures....Today I have to work on masks and sewing binding on a quilt for a customer. I hope to start working on this stuff again this week sometime.

I have off from school tomorrow and will quilt one more quilt for a customer and one more for the UFO list from above. Then its back to sewing masks for awhile. Once I finish an item from the list I will post a picture here. Wish me luck!

I added the last one as number 6 so that is my reward for working so hard on the other things. I like creating new quilts as well as finishing my old ones. So right now I am going to put in the DVD I got from the library, JAG the 5th season, and get to work. I am sick of there not being anything on TV anymore so I have been getting shows from the library to watch. My hubby and I have been watching Mission Impossible, the Pretender, JAG and last night I watched the Odd Couple. Great shows and they bring back great memories of my childhood....well only the Mission Impossible ones and Odd Couple....while the other shows were on I was busy with my family and little girls so I missed a lot of them. This is my chance to get caught up!!!

Marie
This is a picture of the Hope diamond that is in the Smithsonian. We took this picture while we were on vacation last summer. It's the most stunning thing I have ever seen!

I have been tagged!!!

2008-10-19T13:54:00.004-04:00

A friend of mine helped me with my blog.....doesn't it look amazing?? I love the new look.....I made this quilt for her to auction off so she can raise money to bring her son home from China.....and he is a cutie pie!!!!.....here is his picture!!

My thoughts and prayers are with my friend Cynthia and her family that she can bring this sweet boy home to her and her hubby and gorgeous sisters!!!

Ok then she tagged me.....here are the rules.....

Here goes....

1) I was in the Army. A few people know this but not many. I served from 78-82 and had to leave when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I came home to take care of her and left the service. Those were the proudest days when I got to serve my country and I am so proud to be a Veteran. I get some strange looks sometimes but that is ok. My girls proudly tell people, "My mom wore combat boots & she still has them!!!"

2) I am a rotten housekeeper.....I used to love taking care of my house and making it look nice....now I don't have time for that...I would rather quilt or sew or spend time with my teenage daughters. I love hanging out with them and just being goofy!!! We have a blast.

3) I recently went back to school to get my teaching degree. I graduated college in April 2006. I was a substitute teacher for 3 years and also worked as a volunteer at my girls middle and elementary schools. Their teachers encouraged me to go to school and get my degree and paid for what I love to do. I started teaching while I was still in college and taught second grade. Then I taught 4th for a year and now I am kindergarten. I love being in school and working with the kids. They give me energy and life. You can't beat that! I also still volunteer at the high school to chaperone the older kids in the JROTC program that my older daughter is a member of. That way I get to keep in touch with the military too!

4) I love crafts and do just about anything. I make dolls, crochet, sew clothes and make quilts. If I don't sew on the machine a little each day I go nutz. It's better then theraphy or talking to a doctor. I also used to teach adults to quilt....I guess that started me wanting to be a teacher. I figured if I could teach adults kids had to be easier...LOL

5) I have been to Germany twice. Once when I was stationed there and then I went back to visit a friend who was stationed there. It's a great place and I loved seeing another part of this great planet!!

6) I lived in Colorado Springs for a year and didn't learn how to snow ski but when I got my orders for Germany I learned how to ski. I took a trip with some friends to Switzerland and learned how to ski on the Alps. Not many people can say that!!!

7) I have the best friends in the world. Some live here in my hometown and many more I met online. I know there is always that fear that we may meet that crazy ax murderer from an online group but I haven't yet. I have met warm and wonderful caring people who love their dogs like I do, passionate about their families and quilters who will do anything to help another person in need no matter how many miles seperate them.

ok Now I have to tag other people.....so here goes....

Monna
Alycia
Liz
Bonnie

you are all tagged....I will try and find 3 more people to tag.....now I have to tell them.....

Marie

School is Cool!!!

2008-10-16T21:47:00.002-04:00

Hi there,,,,

I had the best training tonight. I teach kindergarten as you might remember....and we adopted a new reading series this year. We are teaching Read Well and we had a follow up training tonight from our training over the summer. The instructor we had was amazing. She gave us such great ideas that I can't wait to go to school tomorrow and try them out......

I also have some extra work coming in this weekend and that will help pay the bills. So things are looking up a little .....

I hope to get some quilting time in this weekend too. I have a couple of quilts of my own to finish and I would like to get a birthday stars quilt basted this weekend. That way I can hand quilt it. I have had the top done for a while and need to get this basted!!

Talk to you soon!!

Marie

Christmas Stockings for our Troops!

2008-10-12T16:25:00.004-04:00

Last week I made 11 Christmas stockings for our troops. Another quilter is making them and she fills them and sends them to our troops overseas. I wanted to make these last year and never did have time. Since I am only working at my teaching job now (no part time sewing or quilting anymore with the economy so down) so I get to do things I want to do. And I wanted to make these stockings.

I couldn't wait to show them to you all. I am showing you these 5 because I was so excited to actually get something done and ready to mail that I packed them all up before I took a picture of the last 6. I had a couple of plaids and then some Charlie Brown fabric. I think they are going to be well received.

I also made a baby quilt for my new nephew. He was born early and I didn't even have the quilt started so I had to move fast. I haven't heard from the new mom yet so I hope it was received ok. Ok I have to get that one off the camera. I took the wrong picture off. That will be done next time. I hate taking stuff off the camera. It takes me forever to remember how to do it because I take lots of pictures but have to think about how to get them off.

I am still trying to finish some UFO's. I got some from my friend a while back and she has some really interesting stuff so I am working on a Christmas wall hanging one now. Tonight I will do some buttonhole stitching on it while I am watching tv.

Speaking of TV I hate all these political shows and debates and all the repeats of really awful shows. So I have been borrowing some movies and dvd's from the library. Last night I watched Laverne and Shirley. I got Mission Impossible for my hubby. The original show from the 60's and 70's. They are so much fun to watch. I also got some Simon and Simon and JAG. I will be watching some tonight. Then at 10pm I will watch the weekly episode of ARMY Wives. Tomorrow and Tuesday nights are for Dancing with the Stars. I love watching that show. I was rooting for Misty May Treanor from the Olympics Beach VolleyBall team but she had an accident during rehearsal last week. I have shifted my votes to Warren Sapp from football, sorry I can't remember what team he is on....but I love to watch him glide across the floor....He is a big man but moves really well and I love his smile. GO WARREN!!!

Ok time to get dinner going.....so what have you been doing??

Marie....waiting for cooler weather.....its october but its in the 90's!!!!

The good and the Bad!!!

2008-10-02T21:21:00.002-04:00

The bad is that I haven't had much extra work to do. The quilting and mask business has slowed down to a halt with the current economy. So what else is new. Thank goodness I am still teaching and have a job for the whole year.

The good is that I am finally getting to do somethingthat I want. I have been making Christmas stockings for the troops. I have 4 done and I am in the process of making more...I have pictures of the first set on the camera and I will ulpoad them tomorrow. I am also using up parts of my stash and that is a wonderful thing. I have a ton of Christmas fabric and this is a great way to use it and help make our service men and women have a great holiday while they are keeping us safe.

The hard part is finding my Christmas fabric. I have so much I can't get to it. So now after I make one more pieced part of the stocking I have to go fabric hunting in the stash.

I will post again this weekend. I already have my lesson plans done for next week so I just have a little school work for the weekend and I plan on playing and cleaning the house (just a little on the cleaning part....LOL) this weekend.

Marie....the Christmas elf!!!!!

I am who I am!

2008-09-25T21:43:00.002-04:00

I got a message last week telling me my blog might be spam! What? How does that happen? I had to do some things to do to fix it and now all is well.

I have been working many hours in school and even on Saturday's for many hours. I don't have to go in any more on Saturdays since I am slowly getting into a routine with my paperwork at school.

My part time job of sewing has slowed down too so I am taking advantage of the down time and working on some UFO's. Right now I am hand sewing the binding down on a charity quilt that has been quilted for some time. I have anothe one sitting here that needs binding done on it and will get that done this weekend.

I haven't been working on many things at night. I am so worn out from the kids at school that I have spent time reading email and getting to bed early.

I have been watching Dancing with the Stars this week and can't decide who I am really rooting for. There are many good dancers this season and I don't have one favorite. Last time I was rooting for Kristi Yamaguchi and she won!!! If you watch it tell me who you are voting for!

Time for ER to start....can't believe this show is in its last year......its my favorite show!

Hugs,

Marie

Getting the routine down!

2008-09-10T21:30:00.000-04:00

I think I am getting into the routine of school and my kids and my own teenagers schedules. It's been a hectic couple of weeks but I am finally getting organized. Now I just need to quit waking up 30 mins before the alarm goes off. That has been happening for two weeks now and it's not fun.

I need my sleep. I haven't been sewing much or getting things in the mail like I should. I have 4 quilts that need to be sent off but I haven't had a chance to do that. I am thinking of just waiting until Saturday morning and then going to drop them off. At least that is the plan but who knows what will happen.

I finished reading all the Elm Creek Quilt novels I could get my hands on. Now I have to wait until the author writes another one. Maybe in between time I can finish reading A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon. I have been trying to finish reading this book for a while now and always get side tracked. It's not because it's not a great book I just can't find the time to read it. I did read those other books but they were a little smaller. Now I am ready to read this book (well I just need to finish it) and then I will be ready for the next book to come out by her by the year 2009.

So what are you reading? Anything good? Any great quilt patterns I need to know about but missed? I seem to spend most of my online time looking for worksheets for my kindergarten kids or reading email.

I have also been de-stressing by playing Roller Coaster Tycoon. We have it on the lap top and the large computer and it's a blast to play it and forget your worries. If you haven't tried it I strongly suggest finding the CD at Best Buy or Circuit City. Great price for a great game!

Later,

Marie

School in IN!

2008-09-06T22:12:00.000-04:00

I know today was Saturday but we ( the kindergarten teachers at my school) are so behind we all went in today. I spent about 4.5 hours and now I think I have a handle on the week ahead. We have a great reading program and I get to start teaching more of it this week and the kids start learning to read....its going to be a blast....

I am still working on bindings here. I also need to get pictures done....after I came home from school today I spent another 5 hours working on stuff for school. Tomorrow I am going to be putting laundry away and taking pictures of the quilts I have finished so far. And I will post them here.

We are still waiting to hear where Ike is going to land. The last report was that he was going to Texas but I am not really sure. Have to watch the news tonight.

That is all from here!!

Marie

Finishing projects and preparing for the Storm of Ike!!

2008-09-05T20:43:00.000-04:00

OK well....more time has gone by but it was useful time I think. I have been getting use to working with kindergarten and getting our routines down both in the classroom and at home. I think we are ok with everything now. It's been interesting having two kids of my own in high school and teaching 5 year olds all day. It's like shifting gears going uphill...... I sometimes don't know if my brain can move so fast....LOL

I also quilted two UFO's last weekend and also put on the bindings by machine. But they have been sitting in my studio for a week waiting to be finished. And they are still sitting here. I had 2 customers quilts to finish and tonight I am going to work on the binding on the second one. I have one done already. It's been fun finishing my own things and I have about 5-7 more ready to be on the machine. Maybe I can do more quilting this weekend. I am also using some leftover batting for these too. Eventually I will have to start buying batting but right now it feels good to use large pieces for these smaller quilts.

I also finished the baby quilt for my new nephew and also have the label sewn on. I am going to box it up this weekend and get it out in the mail. I hope the baby's parents like it and use it often. It's a tossed 9 patch quilt from Eleanor Burns and it's a super easy pattern to make. I bought the pattern at my local Joann ETC store. It's a great pattern for using up scraps. I used blues and off white for mine. I will post a picture this weekend. I have to charge the camera again.

That is about it. We are all watching Hurricane Ike to see where he is going to hit. We missed Hanna but I think she is heading towards the Carolinas so if you are in her path please listen to the media and move if they tell you to. I hope Ike just moves out into the Atlantic and blows himself out. We really don't need anymore rain. I had to move part of my classroom again so when it rains the roof won't leak all over my stuff.....

I will post again. Tell me what you are working on!!

Marie in soggy Southwest Florida

The time bandit!!

2008-08-25T21:52:00.000-04:00

Ok the time bandit was at it again....I can't remember a time when life happened so fast. I remember being a little girl thinking that the days passed way too slow, and now that I am older (notice I didn't say wiser...LOL) they are flying by in a minute...

Last week was the first week of school for the kids and my first week in kindergarten. OH MY!!! They are so tiny and cute!!!! I started out with 18 sweeties and we ability group kids in my school so we had to test this little ones and get them with the right teacher. I have the kids on the low end of the spectrum so my class is smaller with 11 kids. I have to tell you they are sweet and so darn cute!!

They are learning their letters and names. The first week was hard and nerve wracking but we had a great day today. I also have an interactive white board (They are also called SMART Boards) and the kids get to use these too. We used it today and I will be using it everyday in my classroom. It really gets the kids involved in their learning. They love using it.

I haven't been sewing or quilting much because I get home and I am so tired. I didn't get home tonight from school until 6pm. I am still trying to get use to the new grade level and how things get done with the little ones. Prior to this I have taught second and 4th grades and you really have to change your thinking style with the little kids...

Since we have a 3 day weekend coming up I am hoping to get the camera charged up and the quilting machine working to get some more ufo's completed. I have the baby quilt for my neice done and I machine sewed the binding on last night but that was a far as I got. I hope to start working on that this week to get it in the mail by Saturday.

I guess that is it for today. I will write again this week but keep reading!!! and let me know what you think. I know some have said the background color was blue and I am not sure how that happened because it was tan so I changed it and it should be ok now. Let me know.

Happy Daze!!!

Marie

Another day bites the dust!!

2008-08-19T13:39:00.000-04:00

Well we had no school today due to Tropical Storm Fay.This means we have to go to school an extra day in November during Thanksgiving break. It really wasn't that bad for us. We did lose power for about 2 hours but that was it. I spent most of the time reading my book and finishing it. I was glad I worked on stuff for school yesterday after work.

Yesterday was the first day of school and I was overwhelmed to say the least. The kids are cute ( I teach kindergarten) and we are in the middle of testing them to see where they are placed within the 8 kindergarten classes. We ability group the students which is better for them. We have done it for 2 years and I can see the benefit of this. I have a good group of kids but I won't know for sure who will be in my class until the end of the week. I brought my papers home yesterday and worked on them as I had a feeling we might lose power sometime today.

Fay was predicted to be a Category 1 Hurricane but it lost more strength and that was good. I am sure we will be back to school tomorrow but haven't heard the official word just yet.

I thought about quilting upstairs today but after being on my feet all day yesterday I think I am going to stay downstairs and sew a little and work on the computer.

I need to recharge the camera and then I will post pictures of the last 2 finishes I had. This weekend I have set aside to work on more UFO's.

Hope you all stay dry and safe!!

Marie

School Days!!

2008-08-16T00:01:00.002-04:00

I have been at school all week getting ready for next Monday and tonight. Tonight we had open house at my school and I got to meet 12 of my 18 kindergarten kids. What a great bunch of children!! I was nervous about starting school on Monday since I haven't taught kindergarten before but after seeing these great kids I am so excited. The parents are a good bunch and I also got to see many of my former students from other years. It was a long day but a great night.

I came home to watch the Olympics!!! GO Michael Phelps in Swimming!!! WOW!!! What a great race right?? I can't wait to watch tomorrow night. They just had a great interview with him and Mark Spitz from 1972 and I remember watching Mark win those 7 gold medals!!! (I am old LOL)

I know many teachers are getting ready for back to school!! I am looking forward to it. I haven't been quilting much this week. I have 4 new quilts (ok not new but they are UFO's that will get done soon) ready for the quilting machine and I have done a lot of work on a UFO cross stitch project. I have one small corner to finish and then I can start adding some detail work to it. I hope to do some of that tomorrow.

I think we have a hurricane heading this way and her name is Fay so I need to start watching the news to see where she is heading. Keep good thoughts that she doesn't hit land!!!

Marie

My Quilting Retreat Day!!!

2008-08-09T15:49:00.004-04:00

This quilt is my Northwoods Quilt in progress. It was started well over 12 years ago as a block swap on AOL. Several ladies got together to swap blocks about life in the northwoods complete with moose. I am proud to say we are still together and thru email keep in touch. Sadly though a few of our group have passed away but their friendship still lives on in our quilts. We swapped many blocks over the years and I have a Santa quilt waiting to be quilted and also a 1930's fabric swap of star blocks also waiting to be quilted. I hope to get more sewn on this one today. I still have a large pile of blocks to add.

Tell me what you think about it. I had the center part done and on the design wall for a while, maybe even a year so today I added the brown solid border and then started sewing the blocks together for the other 4 borders. Sewing this is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together because the blocks are all sizes. I love how its coming out.

Tell me what you think? This is my last weekend before I go back to school on Monday so I thought I should spend it doing something I want. Last night while I watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics I worked on a cross stitch UFO too. It's coming along and tonight I will work on it some more. I tried today to do some work for school but ran out of scotch tape so

I will finish it Monday at school.

Marie (this is the beach at Bonita Springs, FL)

Another (small) UFO done....and some school stuff...

2008-08-08T18:56:00.010-04:00

Hi everyone.....today I finished another (small) UFO....while I was cleaning my studio I came across a small block that was in the process of being hand-quilted. I only needed to quilt about 4 more lines. I did that before my meeting last night and today I cut the back of the pillow and made an envelope back. I am posting the picture here.

I also worked at school today and remembered to take a picture of my hallway bulletin board. I got the idea for the board from another teacher posted on the internet but I can't remember where. I thought it was a great idea and this is what my girls came up with.

This is a close up picture of the ants. Aren't they cute!! They were really hard to cut out but worth it. My principal loved the idea. This is in the main hallway where there is a lot of traffic so I know lots of people will see it. Once I have my complete correct list of students that will be in my class I will add their names to the ants.

This is a picture of the "picnic" with Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies being served. The cups are stapled to the board and are 3D. The napkins are real as are the spoons. I think I am going to have to tape the spoons to the napkins though as I think with walking traffic in the hallway they might get "lost"!

Well that is all for today. I am going to see what other things I can finish (I also have cross stitch stuff that needs to be done!!) while I watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics!!! Go USA!!!!

Marie

More finished projects!

2008-08-06T13:44:00.008-04:00

I am going to be showing you why I haven't been posting in the past few days. I have been finishing some quilting projects. One was from 1996!!! I am also happy to say that 2 of these have already been donated to the Susan Komen Breast Cancer office here in town. My daughters and I brought a bunch of quilts over to them yesterday. One was a large queen size quilt that I hope they can use to raise money for cancer research and the others were small lap quilts for the cancer patients. I remember how cold those rooms are when they are getting chemo! I am going to be making more lap size quilts and trying to use up some fabric around here.

This is the sayings quilt. Each person made a block and then wrote their favorite saying on the quilt block. It was done in all colors of plaids. I loved how it came out and this was one of the cancer donation quilts.

This is a pink/green block of the month quilt from Joann Fabrics.
However, I have no idea what happened to 3 of the 12 blocks so instead of keeping it a UFO forever I only put 9 of the 12 blocks together and made a smaller quilt. I like how it came out though and this was also one of the cancer quilts.

This is a row by row sewing quilt. I can't remember who all made the blocks but on one row you can see a tomato and a sewing machine....the fabrics are designs involving fabrics and quilting. I have sewn a sleeve on the back of this one and I am going to hang it in my studio upstairs. It's nice to have another one completed.

I also started the baby quilt for my neice. She is having a boy so I got out all my blues and made a tossed nine patch. I need to add a border to it and then it will be ready to be quilted. I hope to have that done this weekend.

Today I am also going to be seeing what kinds of blocks I have that need to get put into quilts. I have 3 UFO's ready upstairs to be quilted. One is a queen and I think I am going to wait on that one for a while and work on the 2 smaller ones. I also have some others I need to find backing fabric for. I have it in my stash but need to clean the mess in my studio first to get to the fabric. So that will be on my list for today and tonight.

Happy quilting!!!

Marie

UFO Day!!

2008-08-02T22:09:00.002-04:00

Today I worked on all sorts of things. First, I played on the computer and got all the email caught up. That alone took a while. I belong to several lists on yahoo and got all of it read and organized. Then I cheated a little and played a computer game. We have all the Diner Dash games and my teenage daughters have me hooked on the games and today I tried to pass a hard level but no dice. Maybe another day.

After lunch I decided to work on some UFO's. Now for those of you that read my blog and aren't quilters, a UFO is an Unfinished Fabric Object and in my case that is mostly quilts. I have about 14 upstairs in the studio that the tops are done but they need to be quilted. I quilted two today and came downstairs and put the bindings on them by machine. Tomorrow night while I watch Law & Order: CI and Army Wives I will stitch those bindings down by hand.

I also started cleaning out my dining room of the school stuff. I have taught 2nd and 4th grades and have books for those. But this year I am going to be teaching kindergarten and I have to sort thru all my books to see what I have for the little ones. I took two boxes of books and stored them in the studio upstairs for now. I also got a bunch of stuff ready to take to school this week. I am so excited about finishing some things and organizing stuff around the house. I have a problem sticking with one thing, I guess I am a little restless so I keep moving from project to project. I am trying to get lots done and I don't want to waste time working on one project.

This is my last week off before school officially starts for me on August 11th. The kids don't go back until August 18th and both my girls are ready for school. So am I .....

That is about it for now. I am going to go sit in my rocking chair and read my Elm Creek Quilters book. I am reading the Runaway Quilt and I am getting all excited about handquilting my small Underground Railroad quilt. I also have a Santa quilt I want to hand quilt so I need to figure out which one I will do first. Probably the Underground Railroad quilt as it's smaller.

Ta-ta for now!!!

Marie

The Pictures are Here!!

2008-07-31T14:34:00.006-04:00

Today was a good day. I finally got the pictures off the camera and they are here on the blog!! YEAH!!!

This first picture is a Christmas Candles wall hanging that was a class sample from about 9 years ago. It's a stained glass creation and was lots of fun to do. I have a pattern around here somewhere for a floral one and I would love to do it but I have to find the pattern first...LOL

I hand quilted this one while we were on vacation. I love the cross hatching on it. On the border there are large ornaments and I quilted around those as well but it's hard to see that in the picture. I love the way it turned out too. Now I have to wash it and its all ready for the holidays.

The second quilt I finished is a donation quilt for my friend Cynthia. She is adopting her son from China and I am giving her this quilt to help raise money so she can get him home. It's a queen size quilt and all made from my stash. I didn't have to buy anything but the batting and backing. Unfortunately even though I used a ton of fabric for this quilt you can't tell from my stash. I still have more fabric then I will ever use!! I love how it turned out. My older daughter picked the 2 borders for me because I couldn't decide which one looked better. The binding is a great coral fabric.

What do you think of them? Let me know. I also went to school today and worked in my classroom. We finished adding trim to my bulletin boards in the class. My one daughter got all my phonics papers filed away, while the other daughter worked on the boards and also cutting letters out for them, she also did a bunch of laminating for me and cut everything out. I would never get it all done if it wasn't for them. They are a big help to me.

Get quilting!!!

Marie

Reading Frenzy!!

2008-07-29T21:58:00.002-04:00

I have found some wonderful books. Now this is quilt related.....they are the Elm Creek Novels and I am hooked on them. I have read half of them and they are wonderful. I love the friendships and the idea of the quilt camps in this make believe town in Pennsylvania. I would love to either work there or spend my summers there just quilting away.

There is a web site too.. www.elmcreek.net and I would say go check it out. I have been getting my books from the library and they have all of them except for the last two. I figure by the time I finish reading the next 5 I have sitting here in the studio my library might have the newest one. I wish I could buy them but I just don't have the money right now.

I have also finished the donation quilt for my friend. I am currently searching for a box and then will get it mailed to her. I have taken a picture but I haven't gotten it off my camera yet.

I have also been working in my new classroom. They cleaned our carpets and all the furniture was packed into a corner of the room. My daughters and I went in yesterday and got the furniture all organized and today we went in again and decorated the bulletin board in the hallway and also in the classroom. I also started putting some items away and making it homey. I have tonz of work to do in there but it's coming along nicely. Once the bulletin board is all done I will take a picture and post it here. It's really cute for kindergarten. I am starting to get excited about school starting and working in this new grade with children who are just starting their learning experience.

My email server has been down for two days too so it's been really annoying not being able to talk to my friends. I had internet service but email wasn't working. I still think there is something wrong but I will have to call embarq tomorrow to see what it looks like on their end.

That is all the news for now. I bought some new quilting patterns and I am in the middle of making one of them but I want to work on it more before I share it with you. It's really an easy pattern and a great stashbuster but that is for another post.

So if you are a quilter tell me what you are working on? If you don't quilt tell me what you are doing? Any good books you have read?

Marie (who wishes she was an Elm Creek Quilter)

Getting UFO's Completed!!

2008-07-26T19:28:00.002-04:00

Ok I have spent the day playing in the studio. This is a good thing and a bad thing. I have almost finished a Christmas wall hanging, I just need to make the label and then it will be done. I also quilted a wall hanging for my studio and machine attached the binding and sleeve to it and it's ready for some hand sewing. I also quilted the donation quilt for my friend and added the binding by machine today. I will start the hand work on these three tomorrow night as I watch TV.

Once I get these done I will post some pictures here. I think they came out really nice. I also bought a super great pattern today while I was in Joann's ETC and it was from Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day easy pattern. It's called a Tossed Nine Patch and it's so easy to make. I played today and made 4 blocks. I will make more and post a picture in the next day or two. It's a great scrap buster and I was able to use some fabric up but you still can't tell I used anything from my stash. That is because I have way TOO MUCH FABRIC and won't buy any at all. I bought some batting today and backing for the 2 larger quilts I had to finish. For the smaller quilts I am trying to use some of my stash as backing. I could live to be 200 and never use all of this stuff.....I will take some pictures of that too!!!

Happy Stitching!!

Marie

Life is GOOD!!

2008-07-23T11:09:00.003-04:00

I had the best nights sleep last night.....clean sheets, a/c and a great shower.....life is really good.

After work yesterday I was able to start putting together the donation quilt for my friend who is bringing home her son from China in the fall. I am so happy with the way it's turning out. I will post a picture at the end of the week; I am sure she is dying to see it too. I hope to get it quilted by next week and in the mail to her before school starts. Be sure to watch this spot so I can tell you when you can start bidding on the quilt. All proceeds go to her and her family so they can get Jin Pei home SOON!!!! YEAH!!!

Then I also worked on my Christmas wall hanging. I have part of a border to finish hand quilting and then just quilt around the main design. Then I can put the binding on and the sleeve and another UFO will be done...I am really into finishing things and not starting too many new ones unless I know I can finish them.

Here is a picture of the donation quilt I am sending to my friend Alycia for the Quilt of Valor program. I hope you and she likes it. I am going to get this in the mail tomorrow.

Marie

Cool Monday!!

2008-07-21T19:15:00.002-04:00

Well we now have the a/c working!!! WOO HOO!!!! It's so much nicer with the a/c working. I actually finished two orders of masks today and that was a wonderful thing. Now I am going to take the night off and work on a quilt that I started about 4 months ago. It's for a friend of mine and I need to get working on it. The blocks are almost done. I am adding the last row on all the blocks and then I need to iron them and can start putting the quilt top together. I will post some pictures as I work on it.

Now my poor husband is working on the water pump! It seems that went out while we were gone on vacation so he bought a new pump tonight but I don't think he will have enough daylight to get it put in. Poor guy has been doing nothing but working on this house since we got back from vacation. Before he goes to work he will need another vacation.

The dogs are thrilled with the a/c working and so are me and the girls. Tonight I should sleep better. Tomorrow we shower!!!

Hugs and thanks for hanging in there with us.

I promise pictures tomorrow from our trip. Stay tuned..

Marie the cool one!!

Hot in Florida!!

2008-07-20T20:53:00.002-04:00

Well we have been living in the hot zone.....our air conditioning is still out and its blistering hot here in Florida....

I sewed a little today but it was hot....I have track lighting in the studio and sewed today with the lights off.....when they are on they run about 500 watts of lights....a quilter does need to see and I can when the lights are on but today I sewed with them off.

Now its about 9pm or so and the lights are still off. It's just too hot to do anything...now we find out that our water pump has been running. We have no idea how long it's been running, could have been the whole two weeks we were gone on vacation. So while not running the a/c for 2 days might have saved us money it's not going to be much of a savings since the pump has been running. Needless to say my hubby isn't in the best of moods and I can't say that I blame him. I wish I had money to replace the a/c and the water system in this house.

Please keep us in your prayers. I am very hot and cranky.

Trying to think cool thoughts,

Marie

WE ARE HOME!!

2008-07-19T14:50:00.001-04:00

We are home....got in about 11am today......to the a/c not working in the house....we need a new fan for the motor outside....i guess the 5-6 days of straight rain did it in while we were gone....dave is trying to find one otherwise it will be monday before we get anything.....joy of joys...... NOT!!!!

Then we had to buy 2 new tires for my car before we started towing it back to ft myers.....so we did that in NC to the tune of $200......so much for coming home with money.....

We have the windows open and the fans on in every room of the house to get some air to circulate.....can't wait for monday....

The good news is my sewing machine is ready and i am going to try and pick it up tonight on our way to dinner or tomorrow morning...not sure just when...i know i won't be sewing tonight as its too stinking hot in the house....

I am waiting for my neighbor to get home so i can get the mail and start sorting thru it all....what fun...i am sure i will be throwing most of it away for junk mail...

Think cooling thoughts for us as far as the air conditioning goes....not fun to be in Florida in 90+ degree heat with no a/c and very hot doggies and peoples!!

Thinking of Alaskan snow!!!!

Marie

On The Road Again!!

2008-07-14T11:50:00.004-04:00

We have been traveling for the last week and visited family in Virginia and Washington D.C. We saw some of the sights at the Smithsonian Museum and also saw the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Sunset Parade featuring the Marines Drum & Bugle Corps, the President's own Marine Band and the Marine's Silent Drill Platoon.

It was great and the only bad part was some of the rain we encountered getting to Virginia. Our first night out we stopped at Brunswick GA and apparently they were getting a tornado and it was windy and rainy all night long. At least we had gotten in the campsite and set up and walked the dogs before it really started to pour. When we got up the next morning we found out that some campers 2 sites over lost their awnings in the wind. I had one of our opened but quickly shut it when I saw the wind pick up.

Right now we are in Maggie Valley NC and the weather is beautiful. No temps higher then the 80's and it's great walking weather for the dogs. They love walking around the dog walk area and I think tonight after dinner we will take them for a long walk around the campground.

We leave this wonderful place on Friday. Right now the girls are with me in the internet cafe in Maggie Valley. It's a great place for ice cream and coffee and free internet. This is a new place in town and I think it will fast become one of my favorite places. I was able to get some internet last night at the campground but it was pretty hit and miss. I was able to send mail which I couldn't do in Virginia, there I was only able to get mail. I am downloading mail now so all is good.

After this we are heading to the new quilt shop to see what they have.

I guess that is all for now. I will try and update again before we leave.

Happy Trails!! Marie

See What I Made?

2008-07-04T17:54:00.009-04:00

Today I am showing off some of my baby dolls! These are my version of the beanie babies. The fabric can be special ordered for any holiday or occassion. If you are a Gator fan I have several in Gator fabric. I also have teacher fabric for a welcome back to school gift for your favorite teacher. Wholesale orders are also accepted. Just email me.

These are some of my newborn babies. They can be wearing sleepers, dresses or pants (for boys). They weigh about 5-6 pounds and feel just like a newborn baby. If you like what you see please email me!!

I love these babies and they are durable too. Have a great 4th of July!!

Marie

New stuff here

2008-07-03T16:23:00.002-04:00

Ok I have added my picture to the profile finally. It's a picture from last summer when I graduated from college with my BA in elementary education. I was really happy that day! I finally made my dream come true and now I am a teacher!!

I also added some music for you to listen to. I hope you like it. I have more to add but right now I thought I would see how you like this.

I love Glen Miller and have In The Mood on here because it's my favorite song. Pink Panther is special to me too because it was the theme song for my high school, and the theme from M*A*S*H is here because that is my favorite tv show.

I am also going to be adding some pictures of things I am working on and will go get that done right now.

Marie

WOW!!!!

2008-06-27T09:43:00.008-04:00

Hi! I am so excited to see I had 5 comments to my new updated site. That is great. I am really pumped to do more to the site and work on more postings.
I had to work yesterday but today is errand day. My older daughter just left for work and I will take the younger one with me and then we will get some lunch before heading home.
Then it will be time to work on the blog to get music added to it now that my friend has told me how. I can't wait for that. I am then going to try and work on the quilt for this same friend. She is in the process of adopting her son from China and I promised her a quilt so I need to get cracking on that. It's a great scrap quilt and if I get enough of it put together I will take a picture and post it here.
This is the summer of finishing things I have started. I worked last night on a large pink granny square afghan that I am crocheting. I am going to give it to the Breast Cancer group for a donation but I don't think it's going to be big enough so I have to find another color to finish it with. I have 3 quilts for them that are done and one more I have to finish.
I am still hung up on this crazy game called Diner Dash. I finally last night finished a level I have been trying to finish for almost a year. I finally have this crazy thing figured out. It's really a fun game and I get to share it with my 2 girls as we are all playing it.
Time to get my errands done. Thanks again for stopping by and I hope to have more info and goodies on here later this weekend. Have fun and be safe!!

This is a picture of Gretchen, our German Shepard rescue who will be 10 in October. She is a love and a camera ham!!! We just love her to death. We also have a yellow lab and I will add her picture too!!
This is our yellow lab Daisy who will be 5 in two weeks. We have had her since she was about 12 weeks old. She is a love too and thinks she is a lap dog. Here she is testing out one of my quilts to make sure people will enjoy cuddling with it!! LOL

Till later,

Marie

Is it late or early?

2008-06-25T00:16:00.005-04:00

I am not sure why I am up so late {it's 12:24 am!!} but I was playing around on the computer and gave the blog a bit of a face lift. What do you think? I am going to add more tomorrow but I thought I would see how this looks. I like the new background but really want a quilty type but settled for this scrapbooky look.

I am also trying to figure out how to add music to this....not sure what song but I would like to see if I like the music playing or if it will drive me and everyone else crazy.....LOL

I have been working so haven't had much time to write. I have been working on a customers t-shirt quilt and have one done but her husband had so many shirts I think I am going to be making another one...right now this one is a queen size and I just have to add the borders. I will take a picture and show you tomorrow.

I am also still trying to get a handle on the laundry. I think the clothes are like rabbits and they keep multiplying. I will get more done tomorrow while I am sewing.

I don't know how many of you play computer games but I am hooked on two. One is a patchwork game where you have to put the pieces of a quilt together....very addicting.

Another is called Diner Dash. My daughter started us on this game about 2 years ago and its fun. We have 4 versions of it on this laptop and our large home computer. There are always two of us playing it. I mostly play during breaks from school or summertime. I am stuck on a level and have to see if the girls have any hints for me to make it to the next level. It's a nice brain break from working.

Well kiddos....I had better head to bed. See you all tomorrow.....maybe I can get some quilting done of my own this week!!!

Marie (this is a QOV {Quilt of Valor} I did a while back that now belongs to a soldier!)

Summer Days are here!!

2008-06-21T15:51:00.003-04:00

The same week we all got out of school I went camping with my daughter's JROTC group. We had a great time and only had rain for one day. The kids did a ropes course (high and low) and team building games and a rock climbing wall and repelling....it was quite an adventure. I loved it and the kids did a great job too. I was proud of all of them over 200+ high school kids and not one health emergency all week....truly amazing.

After that week we started settling into our summer schedule of sleeping late, staying up later and playing games, shopping during the day and eating lunch out. My girls and I are enjoying all this time together. We don't get enough of it during the school year because of our nutty schedules. Of course in between all this my older daughter is working two part time jobs and I am also working and trying to get some extra money made.

We are also trying to find a good day that we can take the dogs to the dog beach. I bought Daisy her new prong collar and took her to the vet yesterday so her ears could get checked. The good thing is it wasn't ear mites just a bacterial infection so she is on meds for that. Of course when we left the house Gretchen was crying like someone was beating her. They hate being seperated from each other. They are too funny. Today they did get their cheeseburgers for lunch though so they are happy campers right now.

I am trying to finish up some of my quilts too and have 2 here that I need to put the binding on. I will get pictures done and put them here when I am finished with them. I also want to finish my other projects this summer too. One of them being a book that I started reading over 2 years go. My goal is to get that done before school starts again in the fall.

Have a good weekend. Talk to you soon!!

Marie

SCHOOL IS OUT FOR SUMMER!!

2008-06-09T19:03:00.003-04:00

School is over for another year! It was great fun and I had a blast with my kids. In our school on the last day all the teachers, staff and kitchen help go out on the bus ramp with noise makers and as the busses roll out we yell and make noise and say goodbye. It's kind of sad as the 5th graders are leaving for middle school. Some of the other students are moving away so they won't be back next year either.

Next year will be fun because I am going to be teaching kindergarten. I am looking forward to the challenge and I think it will be a great change. Today I moved out of my old room and into my new classroom. I have everything in my closets and everything will stay there until the first week of school for teachers sometime in August.

I am glad to be out of school and now I can get some of my projects done here at home. One major item to get done are some of my quilting UFO's and also to clean my studio. It's a mess in here and I clean it out every summer and it still manages to get wrecked by August.

Marie

A Rough Week

2008-05-24T20:23:00.003-04:00

I thought this was a great video especially in light of this last week. I haven't been here much. School, as always, keeps me on my toes. Last week I was out three nights to awards functions for my daughters. I am so proud of their accomplishments this year in school. They have worked hard and now they are reaping their just rewards. It was a great week for the kids in both the high school and the middle school. I am glad that week is over.

Last Sunday I got a very upsetting phone call. For the last 2 years my best friend has been battling breast cancer and last Sunday she lost that fight. I can't begin to tell you the grief that I have been dealing with. We were in Girl Scouts together, our children grew up together and our husbands enjoyed spending time with each other. A greater friend I could never find. I have one other friend that I am this close too and now that one is gone I have a great hole in my heart. She was only 43 years old, and left a loving and devoted husband, a 16 year old son, 18 year old daughter (who is going to graduate high school this coming Thursday) and a 20 year old daughter who just got engaged this year. The funeral services were Wednesday night and I don't know when I have cried so much.

Today I opened my blogger page and found this adorable videos of the otters holding hands. As I watched it, I thought of my friend and her husband and children and of our friendship. I thought how we held hands over the last 11 years of our friendship through the good times and the bad and how we always came back together. I thought of her and her husband, that now they would be apart but later in heaven they would be able to hold hands again, and when her children joined her they too would be able to hold their mother's hand.

This is a somber weekend to honor those who lost their lives so we may live in freedom. To also honor those who fought for our freedom to live our precious lives the way we choose to. The next time you see someone in uniform please tell them Thank-you. They will really appreciate it. Also be sure to always tell your family and friends how much they mean to you. You don't know what tomorrow will bring and you might not be here to tell them.

To all my friends and family that read my blog, "I love you with all my heart!"

Past and present life!

2008-05-04T15:15:00.002-04:00

What a great week! I am exhausted but it was fun!!! I will go backwards....it's eaiser for me....

Friday, my younger daughter had her 8th grade class trip to Sea World in Orlando. The day started out like a normal school day then around 2pm the kids had a pizza party in the cafeteria. By 3pm they boarded the charter buses. She called me around 8pm and was having fun and eating ice cream! I think they left the park around midnight and then she called me around 2:30AM and I had to meet her at the middle school. There were many other sleepy - groggy parents there to pick up their equally sleepy - groggy kids!! But everyone had a good time and that is all that matters!

On Wednesday my older daughter had her JROTC brigade awards ceremony. I got some of my old friends from my JROTC days together too. We were hoping that our old Army instructor would be there as well but he wasn't able to make it. I am so proud of my daughter as she got a medal that night and we presented an award to one of the high schools in the name of our old instructor. Then after it was over we went to dinner. It was so great to see everyone again. This fall in Oct is my 30th class reunion and I can't wait to see my old friends. The group that I was with this week though are more important then the whole class. We spent more time together and had more fun in school than should be allowed. Now we have to figure out how to see each other more often!

On Thursday night we had a showcase of talent at my elementary school. The kids put on a play and they were awesome! I have never been more proud of the kids in our school. There was art work on display as well as the science fair projects. It was a great night and this time I was the teacher and not the parent and it was nice to be on the other side for a change. It was fun watching the parents being dragged around by their kids to see it all.

So today I am just resting, reading some email and learning how to use my new cell phone. It has lots of new features and I am trying to figure it all out. When that doesn't work I just ask my 16 year old and she tells me. LOL...yesterday I went to get my eyes checked out and ordered my new reading glasses. Can't wait for them to come in.

I think I might sew for a while. Big deal you say, but this time I am going to be working on a quilt that was started a few months back and I want to get it done. I did finish 2 quilts last week and still have many more to do but I like getting them done!

Only about 5 more weeks of school and then summer break. I am trying to figure out what I want to do this summer.....I know I will be making some new clothes for school next year and I think I will also really start working on cleaning out my studio and finishing more quilts!

Until next time!!!

Time is the enemy!!

2008-04-28T21:42:00.002-04:00

I am not really sure where time goes but if I ever find it.....LOOK OUT!!!

It's been 10 days since I have posted and I know I have been busy but I have to work backward to figure out where all the time went. LOL

Yesterday was great!! We took the dogs and went to the local RV show. Even though we have a motor home we like seeing what is out there. It was great to take the dogs with us. They were able to meet more people and get lots of attention which they like. They did really well. On the way home we got some cheeseburgers at McDonalds and that was a big hit with the dogs ( and the rest of us too)!! Then we took the dogs home and went to Wal-Mart for some shopping. I got a new purse and of course the girls got "stuff" they needed. It was nice to take the day off and be with my family for a change.

Saturday, the girls slept in and I went to work. Now that means I stayed home and quilted some quilts and then went to the grocery store. Nothing fancy but I got a lot done at home.

Ok that is great but what about last week? Well I am glad you asked. I normally am very busy at my school and last week was no different. It was the first week back from spring break so we had to get the kids thinking about being in school again and not at home. We had a good week in my class. I have the best students, they work very hard and I am so proud of them. My school has a big event coming up tomorrow so most of our energy last week was gearing up for tomorrow's visitors. Our school district is appying for accredidation and our school was picked for a visit. I am honored that I have been chosen by my principal to be observed by these education professionals. I have prepared my students and now we get to show everyone how hard we are working. I will let you know how we do.

The really great event of the week will happen on Wednesday night. That is the night of the Lee County JROTC Brigade Awards presentation. What is making this night so special is the presentation of the Founder's Awards. This award will be presented to the two schools who have stood out in their volunteer efforts in the community. My old Senior Army Instructor from my JROTC days, Col. Tedsan S. Timberlake and his esteemed wife, Dr. Polly Timberlake will be there. To his surprise I am also rounding up as many past cadets as I can. Right now I think we have about 15 of us that are going to be there. I am so excited to have these awards for the schools and to see my friends. Many of them I haven't seen in about 10-30 years. I am so EXCITED!! The really BIG news is that my daughter will be getting a special award. I will get pictures and post them here. So the rest of last week and this past weekend has been spent on the phone talking to my old friends and trying to find more of them through the computer.

I hope once school is out for the year that I can post more consistently. I will keep you posted!!

SPRING BREAK!!!!

2008-04-17T16:46:00.003-04:00

Hi! I am getting some sleep finally! We are currently on spring break and I have been working like crazy. I took advantage of the time off to sew and it was worth it. I also got some quilting done and last night put the binding on the quilt I am donating for the band's silent auction. I just have to put the label on it tonight. I did laundry today too and now I am putting it away.

I have enjoyed being home this week. I can't wait for summer vacation, only 7 more weeks. This school year has flown by and it's been a great one. My girls have kept me very busy this year and the summer is looking good.

I just got done grading some papers from school and this weekend I will get my work from school done. I don't have to but I like staying ahead of things.

My goal is to also straighten up my studio. It's a mess right now and I was going to work on a corner of the room today after I got done sewing. But somehow I managed to hurt my back and right now it's killing me so I can't bend over to clean it. I did some of it but the pain was too intense so I stopped. Maybe I can do more this weekend.

I am excited because tomorrow my girls and I are going to check out the new craft store I have been hearing so much about. I am looking forward to it. It's a combination craft store and scrapbooking store so we are really looking forward to it.

Well it's time for me to continue the laundry. Will talk more later. I am taking tonight off and finishing more quilts and some other projects I want to complete for a change. Can't wait!

It's been a while!!

2008-04-12T17:00:00.004-04:00

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. I have been busy at work prepping my students before they took the state tests for second grade. I am anxiously awaiting their officials scores. I am hoping they did really well. We have been working very hard this year and they have done a great job in class. As a special treat now we are going to be working on a class quilt and a paper quilt for our hallway bulletin board and also each child is going to be making their own small quilt as a memory from our wonderful second grade class. My super principal gave me the idea and I can't wait to start working on it with the kids. They are looking forward to it and so am I.

I have been busy with the high school kids too. I went camping with my daughter's JROTC unit and we had a blast. There was a total of 12 high schools there and probably over 500 kids and adults together. It was last weekend and we had a wonderful time. We (the adults) cooked hot dogs on Friday night and hamburgers on Saturday night. One of the instructors also brings out stereo equipment and we watch movies. We had to cancel the movie on Saturday night as we got a storm that night. The kids were safe and in their tents and we got wind and rain. We were leaving the next day so on Saturday evening we had the kids start packing some of their stuff up and the adults started breaking down some of the equipment we had out. The kids go out on Thursday morning but I had to wait until school was over on Friday afternoon. Then I changed clothes and bought some water and ice and food and headed out. I look forward to this all year. The instructors are wonderful and our school took second place on the tug of war. My old high school won first place in volley ball and another school took first place in the giant relay (swimming, canoeing, running and some other things I can't remember right now). I didn't stay for the relay because I had to stay back at the campsite with another adult chaperone so we could start cooking the hamburgers for the kids.

Then we had one more week of school and now we are all on spring break. I am so happy. Today I quilted two quilts for a friend and I am getting the backing ready for a quilt of mine that I will do tomorrow and donate to the middle school for their spring auction next month. I also went to the grocery store with my daughter. Then we came home and played a game of LIFE. We had fun and my younger daughter was thrilled because she finally won a game. It was a great day.

Now I am heading to the kitchen to get dinner started. Then we are going to start a game of Monopoly but we won't finish it, so I will clear a place on the dining room table and we will bring it out this week. I love spring break and have lots planned to do. I mostly want to sleep in and get some things done around the house and of course I have papers to grade from work and work stuff to do but I also want to take some time for myself and my girls. I miss spending time with them.

Better head to the kitchen. I will be posting more this week. Stay tuned!!

2008-03-29T21:06:00.002-04:00

Well today was a fun day!! I quilted two quilts for a customer and went shopping with my daughter. We needed to get supplies for a project she needs to do for school so naturally we purchased everything we didn't need and when we came home we remembered we didn't buy one thing she needed. So needless to say I am going back to the store tomorrow after church to get the rest of the stuff!!

What made it fun was that after dinner I took the night off! I worked on my scrapbook for about an hour. I finished 4 pages with pictures from Christmas 2001. They came out really neat. I also found some pictures of our trip out west in 2003. So next time I take some time off I will start those pages. My book won't be in order but it will be fun to look at!!

Then I read some email and right now I am going to put some binding on a small quilt I quilted about 3 months ago. I still need to work but I also need to take time off for myself. Tomorrow I am going to quilt two quilts for me. They aren't really for me and will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization. That is the group that hosted the cancer walk a few weeks ago that the girls and I walked in. We had a blast.

Guess that is all for now. Have a great rest of the weekend!!

A Celebration!!!

2008-03-25T22:30:00.003-04:00

Today is a celebration of sorts! My hubby and I have been married 19 years! It doesn't seem like it but it's been a great marriage. I hope we continue to have laughter and joy for more years to come. It's been interesting and challenging. I love him and the life we have together with our children and pet.

I am slowly getting over my cold. I still am coughing and have some of my voice back. Right now I am in the process of sewing and watching tv. I am watching Bill Engvall on the comedy channel. He is a really funny comedian. He talks about real life and it's side splitting funny tv. We love watching him here.

Next week is a stressful week for my second graders. They are going to be taking the Standford 10 test which tests them on their knowledge of everything we have covered since school started. I am really nervous for some of them. Please keep them and me in your prayers.

Spring break is only 2 1/2 weeks away. I can't wait. I get to sleep in and get caught up on my sewing and quilting and I also hope to start making some new clothes. I love teaching but need time off.

Guess that is all for now. I haven't had time to finish any of my own quilts or work on my scrapbook. I am hoping that I can do some of that over break or this weekend and then I will post what I have been working on.

Have a great week!!

SICK!! SICK!!

2008-03-22T20:34:00.002-04:00

Ok I have been sick for about 2 weeks now and I am sick of being sick. I have been going to work everyday to get my students ready for the state test they take in one week. I have lost my voice and now I have a bad cough.

I thought I would be home on Friday but we did another concession stand at the ball field. It was fun but now I don't have a voice again. I am really tired. Today I worked on quilts for customers. I did three today but need to do more tomorrow. I still need to get some laundry done and put some away.

This week at school we are getting our report cards ready. I have mine done and when I go to school on Monday I should just have to print them out. I still have to work on my lesson plans for next week but I might wait and do those on Monday. The kids don't have school but the teachers have to go in.

That is pretty much all my news this time. I have been going to bed early to try and get rid of my cold. Tomorrow we have to get up early for church. I will talk to you again soon.

HAPPY EASTER!

Last event of the weekend

2008-03-16T20:07:00.003-04:00

Well today was fun. I helped the JROTC run a concession stand for the Minnesota Twins baseball game. We are the winter home of the Twins and the Boston Red Soxs. The school gets tips for working the stand and the kids cook, and pour soda, and the adults pull beer. We have a great time with the kids and the instructors. I spent my Sunday afternoon doing that. I am a little tired but we had a blast.

Then we came home and ran out to get a bite to eat. I have been on the run all weekend and no time to get to the grocery store. I will try and get there tomorrow after work. I also managed to squeeze in 3 loads of laundry between church, breakfast and going to the stand.

This week should be a fairly calm week around here. At least that is what I am hoping for. HeeHee...It's a four day work week because Friday is Good Friday and we have off. I can't wait to be able to sleep in. I am hoping to get all caught up on Friday with laundry, household chores(my girls will do those) and email and work. I am behind in my quilting and sewing so I have to get moving this weekend.

I am also trying to get my older daughter ready for spring camp. It's a 4 day camping trip with her JROTC group. We bought the tent yesterday and now just have to get a few other things and she will be all set. A friend is taking out his 5th wheel and we will load all our stuff in that. The kids and the instructors go out on Thursday and I will join them after school on Friday. This is during the first week of April. I went last year and we had a blast. I just love being with these high school kids. They really keep me young.

The march for the cure

2008-03-15T21:00:00.002-04:00

Ok so I am trying a little harder to keep you posted about our crazy life. Yesterday started my wacky weekend. Right after I got the last second grader on the bus I practically ran back to my classroom and gathered all my stuff together and ran to my car. This in itself was tricky because we were in the process of getting some serious rain. Now I know we need the rain but not last night. I made my way to my daughter's middle school and parked my car in the distant parking lot. I really needed to be closer to the band room but school was letting out and all the parents were in line to pick up their kids. I walked to the band room and met up with the band director. We were waiting for two school buses to come and get us and take us (the band director, me, the 7th and 8th graders and all their instruments) to a local high school for the Florida Bandmasters Concert. This is an annual event that showcases the middle school bands and they are graded on their performances. The kids have a new band director this year and they are trying really hard to adjust to him. It's been a tough year for these kids. I was very proud of them though because they earned all excellents. It was a good night. We got back to the middle school around 8:30pm and then drove my friends son home. I took my daughter and myself to McDonalds for a late dinner. We came home and she went to bed. (We had to get up early today but I am getting to that)...

My older daughter came home from a date with her boyfriend and after he went home she and I stayed up and talked until 12 midnight. I love talking to my girls and it gives us a chance to spend some time together. I treasure these moments with my girls and it reminds me of the conversations I used to have with my own mom when I was a teenager. I really miss her.

Today (Saturday) we woke up at 6:30am and got ready for the Race for the Cure http://www.komenswfl.org/. My school put a team together and we walked. It was great, the weather was wonderful and it was a great opportunity to meet with my colleagues out of the classroom. Since I had stayed up so late and had to get up so early today I was really beat when we got home. After the race the girls (my daughters walked with me) we went to breakfast and dropped one daughter home. The other daughter and I went on a few errands and then came back to the house. I wasn't able to work any more so I just chilled on the couch and those that know me who are reading this are probably in shock. I even fell asleep on the couch for about a half hour. Then I got up and got dinner ready. My daughters boyfriend came for dinner so I had to get some food for this boy to eat and the rest of us too!!! I felt much better after dinner and then cleaned up the kitchen and decided to work on a quilt for a customer. I didn't finish it but it's started and I will finish it tomorrow.

I won't tell you about tomorrow yet. I think I have said enough for tonight. You all are probably tired by now. Get some rest I know I am heading to bed early tonight!!

Where do I start?

2008-03-13T20:52:00.002-04:00

WOW! I can't believe how much time has gone by. I am not sure where to start. We are all finally over our colds. It's really hard to get better when everyone at all the schools, (elementary, middle and high) are sick and our weather has been crazy. One day hot and one day freezing!!

Last weekend I took Friday off from work and went to a state competition for my daughter's JROTC Exhibition Show Team State Competition. We go to Lakeland for the night and then the next day drive to Tampa for the competition. These are kids who spin 12 pound rifles and are really good. They also have duel, squad (5 people), platoons (16 people) and individual competitors. These kids are 9-12 graders and work really hard. I love going with them. It was the second year I went and its a blast. Having been through the program myself in high school I love seeing how much the program has grown not only in my local county and school district but also statewide.

We had to get up early on Friday (4:30am) and be at school to help out the instructor who is a retired Command Sergeant Major from the Army. He is a great guy and the kids love him. The main instructor a Lt. Col. was going this year as one of the judges and we briefly saw him on Saturday on the field. We loaded up the buses (charter buses) and headed toward Lakeland. We stopped for lunch and got to the hotel by 3pm. We checked in and got in some practice time before going to a local mall for dinner and some free time for the kids. After dinner at the mall (and some shopping!!) we normally go back to the hotel and the kids go swimming for a few hours before lights out. Friday night brought strong winds and heavy rain to Lakeland Florida. It was really blowing out there so the kids stayed inside. Some kids stayed in the lobby playing games or just visiting with each other and the rest were in their rooms getting their boots and uniforms ready for Saturday. At 10pm it was lights out and then the chaperones went to work walking the hallway of the hotel so we could keep the kids quiet for the other guests. Finally we went to bed around 11:30pm. We had to get up at 4:30am again to get the kids up and make sure they were dressed and packed and downstairs to eat. We had to be back on the buses to drive to Tampa for the competition.

It was a freezing day with temps in the 40's and 50's. We were all freezing and the kids had some jackets to go with the uniforms. I got stung by a wasp while I was watching one of our groups perform and had to be really quiet and that was really hard to do. The other mom with me was a nurse and asked if I was allergic and I had no idea because I had never been bitten before. My wrist hurt and the stung area was red but nothing else happened. I still have a little red mark from the sting but it doesn't hurt.

The competition ended around 6pm and then it was time to board the buses. We are not sure how we placed in all the events but the commander of the exhibition platoon (a female junior cadet) one 3rd in the state of Florida in the individual exhibition competition. We are so proud of her. We all were crying in the stands....it was a great way to end the weekend. We got home around 11:30pm on Saturday night and we were tired. I listened to music from my iPod on the bus as I didn't care for the movie they were watching on the bus. I also fell asleep as did most of the kids. We had a blast as usual.

I love being with these kids. I know I am getting older but being with these kids keeps my heart and mind young. They are our future and it's good to know that we are raising good kids who care and know there is more to life then their own small world.

The week at work was crazy. We are getting our students ready to take a state comprehension test in two weeks. Right now the 3rd to 12th graders are taking the FCAT or the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. The kindergarten thru 2nd graders take the Standford 10 test in Florida too and its pretty much the same thing but at a lower level and there is no essay to write for the little ones. It's mostly a math and reading test.

Tomorrow night I am going with the middle school band to the Florida Bandmasters Association. They compete there for ratings as to how they play. Its a big event for the middle school and high school bands.

On Saturday my school formed a team and we are walking in the Breast Cancer walk here in town. It's pretty cool because there are lots of teams and my younger daughter is walking with her friends from the middle school and my older daughter and I are walking with teachers and staff from my elementary school. I am looking forward to it. We each are walking for the women in our family who have or had breast cancer. My mom, my great aunt, my best friend and my matron of honor from my wedding. I also donated two quilts for their raffle and they were really happy to get them. I hope to be able to give them more as time allows me to finish my own quilts.

Sunday I am going to be working the concession stand at the ball game with the JROTC kids again. They do this to raise money. We did really well last year and the kids make the food and run the cash registers. The adults pull the beer as the kids can't touch it because they are under 18. We have a blast doing this. My daughter goes and I do too. She is doing one this Friday during school but I have to work so I can only help out at night or on the weekends.

So when I am not here posting to my blog you can bet I am busy doing something. After I got home from school today I started dinner. Put in a load of wash. Quilted a lap quilt on my machine upstairs and took a shower and graded about 3 sets of tests. I posted here and now I am going to have a snack and then get back to the sewing machine. I promise to write more often. Have a great rest of the week!!

One sick bunch!!!

2008-02-26T20:51:00.002-05:00

Well it's not what you think. On Sunday we got up to go to church and my hubby was sick. I won't go into details but it wasn't a pretty sight. So he wound up in the living room sleeping in his chair all day. The dogs were mad because no one would play with them. My younger daughter started to feel bad too later Sunday afternoon and by 5pm I joined them. My head hurt and no one had eaten. All I can say is, it's a good thing we have 3 bathrooms in the house. By Sunday night I knew my younger daughter and I would not be going to school on Monday. I called my girlfriend and told her she wouldn't have to get her in the morning. I went in early on Monday and got things ready for the substitute teacher. I was up from 1am to 2:30am typing lesson plans for the substitute. I went in and got everything ready and then I went home to bed. By noon I had a temp of 99.9. My younger daughter started to feel better and we thought we would be able to get to school on Tuesday, today. I felt ok but nothing terrific and when I called home tonight she sounded worse. She now has a temp of 101 and it looks like she will be home tomorrow. I will be going to work as I have two important meetings that I can't miss. So that is life here. Thank goodness my older daughter is fine. She ate dinner last night and tonight at her boyfriends house. At least she isn't going to get this cold or whatever it is we have. She had a mild case of it last week and just has a very slight sore throat.

I will be happy when life returns to "normal" around here. I am just glad my hubby's lasted for 24 hours and he is fine now. I have a slight headache tonight but nothing serious. I will take some nyquil tonight and already gave some to my other daughter. She is on her way to bed soon. She needs her rest. I am going shortly myself. I haven't been eating well and I am very weak and can't afford to get sicker!!!

I am not one of those people who get flu shots. Everytime I have gotten one I have gotten the flu so bad I didn't want to live. This is the first time in many years I have been this sick. I won't bore you anymore.

I didn't get a chance to work on anything fun this weekend. Didn't even get to work on sewing for my customers. I will be doing that this coming weekend.
Stay well and safe with the crazy weather up north.

How I spent my day off...

2008-02-18T19:41:00.008-05:00

Ok now I have two posts in one day. That is pretty good. Here is how I spent part of my day. I did finish this basket quilt...It just needed the binding sewed on it. So I did that and added the label. I belong to a group on the computer that helps people finish their UFO's. (unfinished quilting objects). This is my first finish for 2008, last year I was able to get about 20 done and I have about a million more to go. Well that is a bit of an exaggeration but I have lots. It's good to get something finished. I also did 3 loads of laundry and got them put away. I cooked dinner and did some work for school. I graded some test papers from last week and put my grades into my computer gradebook. I am all set for work tomorrow so I took the night off.

The other thing I did was work on my dad's scrapbook. I started this about 2 years ago I think. His pictures from World War II were starting to fall apart. I bought a book and am just putting the pictures on safer paper. I think my dad used these pictures as mini letters to his mom so she would know what he was doing. As I put the pictures to paper I am writing the information he posted on the back of the pictures. I am also adding some stickers to spice up the pages. I also found some special papers I purchased on vacation so I am adding those as well. My daughter tried adding some extenders to my book so I could add more pages but I have the wrong ones. The next time I go to the craft store I will have to get the right ones. In the meantime I am going to work on more pages. I also have another book for my girls pictures. This book will be of all the pictures I have taken of them. Here are two pages from my dad's book that I finished tonight.

Saturday Night

2008-02-18T11:17:00.002-05:00

I love my Saturdays off and this Saturday I had part of it off. The rest I volunteered for and it was great. It brought back lots of memories to me. My daughter is in the JROTC unit at her high school. It was their turn to march in the Edison Grand Parade of Light. This is a big event in our community to honor Thomas Edison who had a winter home in our town of Ft. Myers. This parade has been going on for 70 years and I have been fortunate to march in it for 5 of those years. This year made my 6th visit in the parade. We got to school around 3pm to mostly sit around and wait, just like in the Army. The kids had to get their gear together, some were on the Color Guard and had to carry flags so they needed to get their gear on. Other students were just marching in the parade but my daughter was part of the group that was spinning rifles in the parade. The busses showed up at school at about 4pm. We loaded the busses and started the trip downtown. We went to a staging area where they had food for sale for the kids in the parade and also a DJ for the kids so they could dance and unwind and relax a little. This was never available when I marched in the parade about 30 years ago.

I just spent about and hour looking for pictures of the parade of the kids I was with. I couldn't find any as a group. Oh well.....we stayed at the staging area for about 30 minutes and then got back on the busses and they took us to the starting point of the parade. It was about 7:40pm before we started our part in the parade. We had a really good time but it was lots of walking and stopping. We got done about 9:30pm and then boarded the busses back to the high school.

I am in good shape for running up and down my stairs at home but walking 3 miles is another story. My legs were killing me all night and I didn't sleep well. I got to be early last night and slept great. Thank goodness we are off from school today and I got to sleep in. I am fine now and think I might have lots a little weight but that is highly doubtful as we stopped at McDonalds on the way home for some food because my daughter and I were starving. Well tomorrow starts the craziness of life again so I am off the computer now and going to have some fun. I won't tell you what I am doing as it will be a surprize for this week's blogging....Have a great day off if you are lucky to not be working today!!!

A normal day?

2008-02-15T23:07:00.002-05:00

Well today was a typical "normal" day in my crazy life. I woke up at 4:30am to take my younger daughter to school. She was taking a charter bus to University of South Florida for a Science/Math field trip. She had to be at the middle school by 5:30am. I dropped her off and then talked to a friend for a while to arrange her to pick my daughter up after the busses get back home. Once that was done I then drove back home and waited for my older daughter to come down so I could take her to school. She gets to school early even though the bell doesn't ring until 7:15am we left the house at 6:15am. I drive home and get myself ready for school. Today I didn't have to be at work until 8:30am but my older daughter forgot her backpack at home so I brought it back to her high school and then drove myself to work.

I got to work about 7:45am. I got my class and papers ready for my students and then went to work. I stayed after school for about an hour making sure I had everything to bring home for lesson plans and papers to grade over the long 3 day weekend. Then I left my school and headed back to the high school to get my daughter and her boyfriend. We came home and I dropped them off at the house so she could shower before we left for dinner. Then it was off to the middle school, I had gotten a call from my younger daughter that the busses were late and I needed to get her by 6pm. So instead of my friend bringing her home I drove to the school and got her. We drove home and then took hubby and all the kids to dinner. We then came back to the house. We were all stuffed. We ate at Sweet Tomatoes, a salad buffet so everyone overate!!! Then the kids watched tv, dh slept in his chair and I came in the studio and worked. I just got done sewing some masks and am heading to bed. I am beat...wait until you hear what I am doing tomorrow!!!!!

Where does the time go????

2008-02-12T20:54:00.000-05:00

I am not sure what happened to February. It's almost over and I haven't posted in almost two weeks. Well that is my crazy real life. It was quiet for a while with nothing great happening and then WHAMMO!!! LIFE !!!!

I was really busy quilting quilts for friends. I didn't have any and I was able to get some of my own done (at least two got quilted of mine but that was it). Then I had quilts for friends to finish. Did those and more came in and that is fine. I do them on the weekend because when I get home from school I am too tired. Most nights I bring home papers to grade that I didn't get to during the day. I did that tonight but I won't be grading them. I will work on them tomorrow sometime. After I am done here I am going to sew masks. My part time job. LIFE!!!!

Then the girls had me running and getting things done at school. My oldest daughter spins rifles in her JROTC program and last Saturday they had an all county competition. They did really well and now they are getting ready to go to the state competition in Lakeland next month. My other daughter is going to attend high school next year and we went to the open house for the school she plans to attend. It is a magnet school of the arts and she has to audition to get into the art program. We spend a few nights filling out the paperwork for that. She also plays trumpet in the jazz band and has had performances to go to. She is going to another one tomorrow night. LIFE!!!!

Tomorrow night is also a fund raiser for my elementary school at the local McDonalds. A portion of all monies raised from 4-11 go to my school. The jazz band is eating there before their performance so we have that to go to. LIFE!!!!!

The best news I got this week was that my oldest friend (we have been friends since kindergarten and we are now older then dirt so that is a long time....LOL) is coming down in the first part of August with her hubby and family and I can't wait to see them. It's been ages since we have seen each other and we are so excited.

So, there you have it......life sometimes is crazier then TV and I know mine is very hectic....

Did I mention I had another wonderful visit from my other sister-in-law and my mom and dad in law this Sunday? They came over for dinner and we had a great time catching up. I was happy to see them all. She lives in Virginia and we don't get to see each other as often as we would like.

Well, I should get off the computer. We are having a bad thunderstorm with lightning right now. We need the rain but not this bad. I even brought our outside kitty in and she is all comfy in the garage right now. Hope you enjoyed this. Let me know how your life is going??

Marie

Thank heavens its Thursday

2008-01-31T19:32:00.000-05:00

HI....wow I have to get better about writing here. I was really tired last night and spent most of it on the computer getting some paperwork done for taxes. That got dropped off today so we should be set for a while. With work and the kids sometimes some of the paperwork gets put off but I think I am set for now.

I also started feeling icky last night. Everyone at school, kids and other teachers, have all had some sort of cold and I think now it's my turn. I started getting a sore throat last night and I had the worst migraine last night. I have never had one quite that bad before, I even felt sick to my stomach. Naturally, the medicine was in the downstairs bathroom so I didn't get any until this morning. I feel better now but I am heading to bed early tonight. I have some sewing to finish and papers to grade and then it's bed time for me.

I have a fun Saturday coming up. My older daughter is in JROTC in high school and their All County competition is this Saturday. I am going. These kids twirl 12 pound rifles like it was nothing. They spin to music and are amazing. I love watching them. It reminds me of when I was in that program when I was in high school. I am just hoping some of my friends will come to see the kids. I also help with the girls uniforms as some of them have no clue how to dress themselves. The instructors are the best and they are great with the kids. We helped collect money for parking during the football season and we have the best time with these teenagers. I just love being with them. I think it helps keep me young.

At school I get to work with super teachers who have so much to offer as colleagues and also great friends. Then I have my students who are wonderful. They work so hard to read and learn and please me. I love it. Today they earned their last point (everyone had a good day) and tomorrow they are getting chocolate cake for their reward. They are so excited. Then I also get to hang out with my younger daughters friends from middle school. They are great too. Very grown up and smart and fun to be with. Then there are the high school kids (young adults really) who are great people. I know that these are all kids in ages from 7 (my class) to almost 18 but I love being with them. I learn so much from them. I truly think that our future is in good hands.

My friend is busy working on her scrapbook and I had to look for some stuff for her last night in my scrapbook box. Now it's all I can think about. I want to get more pictures printed from my other computer on my picture paper and start putting my stuff together. I am going to set a goal that I do that either this weekend or one night next week. I also want to set a night aside so I can get some quilting done for myself. Even if it's just for one hour on these projects. I am not sure I can do that tonight though. I need to get to bed early as I have a hectic day at school tomorrow and then I have to be at the high school at 6AM on Saturday. WOW!!!

That is all for tonight. I am going to try and be more diligent in my writing.....I am hoping next time I can add some pictures of my projects.

Saturday 26 January 08

2008-01-26T19:38:00.001-05:00

Ok so typing everyday is not my thing.....the other night my sister in law came over for a visit while she was in town. She brought my mother in law and father in law too and we had a great visit. It was nice to see family and catch up.

The weekends are when I try to get everything done. Laundry (didn't get to that today so that gets moved to tomorrow)and I did type lesson plans today so I am ahead there for the next two weeks. I also quilted 3 quilts for a customer so that was a good thing. Tomorrow I have another couple of quilts to quilt for customers. I have a short arm quilting machine and I try to finish some of my quilts too. So before I stopped quilting for the day I put a small quilt of mine on the machine and got it quilted. Then I cooked dinner and now I am working on the laptop. I will start sewing in a minute.

Another job I have is sewing at home. I make dust masks for a woman who sells them all over. Check out the links in my favorites to see what they look like. They are wonderful, my hubby wore one while he built our house.

Did I mention that I am a teacher? I teach second grade and just love it. I am a late bloomer, I decided while my children were still in middle and elementary school that I wanted to persue my childhood dream of being a teacher. With the help of my family and friends I completed my degree and graduated last year magna cum laude. I am really proud of that and I just love watching the kids in my class "get it"!!! I love teaching them how to read and find out all the wonderful things that are out in the world.

My goal for tomorrow is grocery shopping, laundry and also getting my camera charged so I can post more pictures of my stuff. I have a great quilt in progress that I want to show you. It's a northwoods quilt from a block swap on AOL years ago. A group of women who shared the same love of the northwoods swapped quilt blocks. After almost 10 years I am finally putting the quilt together. I have the center and then I got busy with my crazy real life and haven't touched the quilt in weeks.

What I need is to plan time in the week for me. I loved working on one of my UFO's today. (In quilt language that is an unfinished object). My goal this year is to finish about 20 quilts of my own. Now I do live in Florida and we really don't need many quilts down here. I mostly donate my quilts for the soldiers, Quilts of Valor, cancer charities and for kids. I love making them and sharing them. I will post some pictures soon as I charge the camera tomorrow.

Well that is all for now. I will post more tomorrow.....maybe pictures too....

Tuesday 22 January 08

2008-01-22T19:16:00.000-05:00

WOW!! 20 people have checked out my blog. I am so excited.....this is really cool. Apparently older adults don't have blogs....at least that is the feeling I am getting from my daughter. She told one of her friends that I have a blog and the friend was really surprised. I think it's cool. I have kept a diary as a young girl (that is back in the old days of paper and pencil before computers were in every home). LOL....

Ok the title of this blog is my crazy real life and I think I need to explain how I came by that title. Here is what I did today after reading it tell me what you think.

530am: Wake up and dress and make sure 16 yr old is up and getting ready for high school. I need to drive her today as she has practice after school.

610am: Leave for high school, drop her off at 630am and drive to bank to drop off the night deposit so there is money in the bank today.

7am: Arrive home and make the coffee. Dress for work and apply make-up so I don't scare the kids at school. (LOL) and then fix coffee to go, grab a peanut butter cookie on the way out of the house.

730am: Wake up 13 yrd old for middle school, she has to walk to school today.

800am to 345pm: Teach second grade. (Please note that I normally stay at school until 430-5pm but I had to leave early today.

400pm: Leave my school and drive to my daughter's middle school to check out the band pictures. This took long because the guy from the photo company didn't know what he was doing. While I was waiting to see the pictures I called the car insurance company and had to pay the bill over the phone. It was due yesterday but the banks were closed. Hubby surprised me and came to the middle school to pick up the 13 yr old but I sent him to the high school to get the 16 yr old because her practice was done at 5pm.

530pm: Arrive home and start cooking dinner. We eat and talk and catch up on the day. I insist on eating together at night and we all have a blast at dinner most nights.

630pm: Everyone comes in my studio, the 13 yr old does homework in my studio, the 16 yr old has me braid her hair, the dogs are in the studio as well, 16 yr old leaves her cell phone with boyfriend, he shows up with the phone but hasn't eaten. The 16 yr old gets him some dinner and everyone is currently in my room visiting with me. Hubby is watching tv in the living room ALONE!

Almost 8pm: I will start sewing eventually and the kids will start moving out into other room. I have to grade some test papers and get the results ready to turn into my principal this week. I also need to sign papers for a school field trip and work on my classroom newsletter. This will continue until about 1030pm when I finally head to bed.

Can you see now why this blog has its name? This isn't an unusual or different day in my life. THIS IS MY LIFE! Every day of the week. But you want to know something? I love it. I love being involved in my kids lives. They come home from somewhere and seek me out to tell me about their day. It's wonderful. I normally don't get my 13 yr old from school, my dear friend picks her up in the morning and brings her home at night because I am at my school working. It was great getting her today and being able to hear about her day.

One of the things I have learned is time management and how long it takes me to do something. You have to have some sort of plan to get through the day. Prayer is everything. I can't make it through the day without praying. I won't sit here and spout my religious beliefs to you but I will tell you that it's the only way I can get through the day.

Thanks for checking me out. I don't know what tomorrow will bring but I look forward to it. It's always different and exciting.

Quilts of Valor

2008-01-21T18:12:00.000-05:00

These are pictures of some of the quilts I have done. These quilts have been donated to the soldiers through the Quilts of Valor program. Being a Vet myself I understand the importance of thanking our service men and women. This is my way to say thank you to these young people who allow us to live in freedom. I didn't make all these quilts. These quilts were pieced by someone else and I quilted them on my short arm quilting machine.

Monday 21 Jan 08

2008-01-21T08:56:00.000-05:00

This is new for me. I am not sure if I can keep up with this but everyone tells me I do alot. I don't see it so maybe if i see it in writing it might help. I guess I should start my telling you a little about myself. I am Marie, I am married to David, this year will be 19 years...I still can't believe we have been together that long...it really doesn't seem possible.

We have 4 children, 2 from his first marriage and our two girls. My girls also keep me busy but more on that later.

I went back to college 4 years ago to become a teacher and now I teach second grade and love it. Those kids keep me on my toes but they are wonderful and I can see them growing in so many ways.

We also have two dogs, a 4 year old yellow Labrador Retriever named Daisy and a 9 year old German Shepard, rescue, named Gretchen. They complete our family. We also have one outside kitty, she adopted us when we lived in our old house. Her name is Li'l Bit....she is a little gray kitty who is about 9 years old I think.

I also have lots of hobbies, camping with my family, reading, sewing, quilting, playing games on the computer and my daughter started me on scrap booking a few years ago.

I am sure you will hear more about these hobbies on this blog and also my crazy real life. Now I have to go figure out the rest of this blog stuff.