Wonderful weekend

Look what we did Saturday morning!

I know it's really a bad picture but I was just so excited and wanted it documented right then! We've got to do one more coat. I am loving it. This is now known as THE RED ROOM. Next up is the kitchen which will be painted yellow. The deck is done, but the patio area is not. Pictures when it is completed.

Later that day, Dave and I had a wonderful night out. We made it a mini vacation. We collect all the loose change for months and months, then go deposit in the bank. So we were able to eat dinner at a terrific Indian Restaurant, went to see Shawn Colvin and Mary Chapin Carpenter in concert, and stayed over night at the Marriott. Ethan stayed at a friends house and got his fix of video games.

This is what I've been working on in the sewing department.

It is a little pillow. I made it all out of red and beige scraps. It is a log cabin block and the strips were 1 inch wide. You know me and little things. I am working on another pillow cover with the same scraps, but different design. I was working on it Sat. and put one whole section in upside down, so it will take me some time to rip it out and fix it. Frustrating.

Enjoy your day.

What's new?

Well a lot of things are going on. The last couple of weeks have been stressful, emotional, peaceful and calm all at the same time. I know that really doesn't make sense, but that's how life is sometimes. Inexplicable.

Ethan went to EFY last week and had a wonderfully awesome time. He left to go on Trek this morning. Very cute seeing him in his pioneer clothes. Brought back memories of sending Kaylee, Izzy, Rachelle and Matt. He is going to the same place you all went.

This is July's Riley Blake's block of the month.

And look at what's happening in our backyard:

The deck is 15' by 14' and basically goes back to the green space. At some point we will clear all the ground cover and bushes back there. The deck is going to have two set of stairs. One where you see the ladder and another on the other side so you can get to the other side of the yard where the stairs to the basement are. There is also going to be a cement patio on the ground where the ladder is to a couple yards past the corner of the house. We will probably put the grill down there and maybe a fire pit.

This is the start of a new quilt, too. Just a sneak peak. I've also been working on the grandkids Christmas presents. I have to start early so I get them done. I've got to many projects going on at once. I am feeling kind of scattered. I need to focus.

And now maybe I need to make a new wedding quilt. My dad just got engaged!



Have a great day!

Ethan's Band

Ethan's band went into the studio yesterday and put out a pretty good song! We don't know the release date yet, but here's a link to the leak:

http://steelstepladder.tumblr.com/post/54703493284/first-track-of-our-debut-album-this-is-by-no

They are trying to get more fans, so share their page and their new single with your friends!

https://www.facebook.com/TetanusJunglegym

If you couldn't tell these last two post have been started by Ethan himself! But I do want to say I am proud of him.

 I tried getting a picture of my new project, (yes another one) but something is wrong with the SD card. So you'll have to wait.
Here is another picture of Ethan's birthday.

Have a great Sunday.

Ethan and his Marvelous Accomplishments

Ethan's new band made these 2 videos at practice yesterday. Their name is Tetanus Junglegym.
 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSgJxI49k4&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HLiogCD5t0

They are very good! They are hoping to get a gig at the Park over in Quantico Town.

This is Ethan on his 15th birthday.  Wow, 15!

Also Ethan got straight A's through his entire freshman year!

And just so you don't think I've lost touch with nature, this is a turtle that Dave and I found at the bottom of our cement steps down to the basement. I saved him and put him in the green space in the back yard.

This is a sneak peak of a new project.

This block is 25"x25". It's big. Yes I know that's unusual for me. There will be 7 of these blocks to make the whole quilt.

I am still waiting for pictures of Melanie's wedding to post about that. And also will post soon about trip to Illinios.


 

Anyone remember these?

When we lived on Veering Lane in Burke we had the invasion of the cicadas. Anyone remember the ground being covered in these things? This one is about 2 inches long. And the loud noise that accompanied them? Well they're back! And we have baby blue birds in the box under the mailbox. I have heard them, but not seen them. The mom and dad birds are fun to watch flying back and forth.

And just so this doesn't turn into a nature blog here is my Riley Blake April Block of the Month.

And I can't wait to show you Mel and Jared's wedding quilt. Rachelle is going to quilt it on the long arm this week. Her wedding is less than two week away!

Enjoy your day!

My Day in Court

Last month, Dave got a parking ticket. It was for having a for sale sign in the window of his car when it was parked at the commuter lot. It said you can't park a car there for the purpose of selling it. Well I told Dave I would contest it because he parks there for the purpose of commuting not for selling the car. After waiting a month for the court date, I had my date in court yesterday. I went a little early so that I would find the right place and be able to check it out. It was really freaking me out sitting there. There was a lot of different things that the judge was ruling on.  A few people got sentences and got taken away. A lot got continuances and a new court date. This went on for about an hour. I was starting to wonder if I was in the right courtroom because it wasn't all traffic tickets. Finally the judge opened a new file and started the traffic violations. The ticketing officer would stand up and the judge would ask him/her about the incident with the person. There was several that went before me with fines and dismissals if they paid court costs. Finally he called my name. I was sitting on the far side of the court room and had to climb over people to get to the front podium, which was one the other side. The bailiff told me to "Put your purse on the floor and your feet right here." The ticketing officer stood up (or I should say the meter maid.) The judge asked if she had an incident with me. She said no, she had ticketed the car. At that time I relaxed because the judge basically rolled his eyes and told her to tell him about it.  She said she had ticketed the car because it had a For Sale sign in the window and the commuter lot had a sign that said you can't park for the purpose of selling a car. The judge turned to me and asked if I wanted to testify. I said yes and he put me under oath. Then asked me my story. I said,"My husband parks in the commuter lot everyday to catch mass transit to go to the Pentagon." Judge said," Did you have a for sale sign in the car?" I said,"yes". He asked, "Did you keep the For sale sign in the car?" I said "No not after we got the ticket." Judge said, " Case dismissed, you're free to go, goodbye!" I said, 'Thank you, sir" And that was my day in Court!!!!!!!

Nature is cruel

I am very upset this morning. There is only one egg in the nest. I am so sad. When I was eating my breakfast this morning mama robin was on the nest. She turned around several times while I was sitting there. I am wondering if she was trying to figure out what happened to her eggs. Usually she is very calm and still. Nature is cruel.