Here's a new one!

Project #2 is finished! I decided to make a tote. And man- oh-man, is it a tote!?! It's a bit bigger than I thought it would be but I love it!

This pic kinda makes me think....Smiley cyclops alien!

Inside! That pocket was supposed to be on the outside but I like my pockets on the inside of my bags. (Makes it harder for someone to reach in and snag my pens and you know how much I LOVE my pens! LOL!

And the best part is.....

it's the perfect size for my books! I think I might have to make some more like these. Maybe I'll change it a bit and make the handles longer for shoulder use and/or more pockets on the inside or outside! Uh oh, I'm in trouble!

Oh! Mom and I are taking a machine quilting class on the 25th at a local fabric boutique. I am so excited! I thought maybe I could take pictures so you all can see what we are learning that day! What do you think? Would that interest anyone or would it be too boring to bear?

Games, Easter etc........

Okay, so here's the latest on what's been going on here on the hill!

Haley had her first T-ball game last week....she was so tickled when she got her uniform shirt and hat! She looks good in green!

Swing baby swing! Awesome!

Run baby Run! You wouldn't believe how funny watching a t-ball game really is! These kids are so awesome!

Haley's on first! Waiting patiently!

Second base!
Mom and I were laughing our tails off that day! It was so chilly but these kids did not care....they were having way too much fun!

Easter Sunday at Aunt Martina's! Here comes the Easter Bunny! (Me in a suit)
Yeah yeah...don't act surprised!



Mom and Dad with the Easter Bunny! Daddy, what are you doing?

Waiting for more pictures!

Chase....Shellie's little boy! He told me he has always been my (the Easter Bunny) biggest fan!


My baby girl! She figured it out pretty quick after I accidentally giggled out loud!
Shellie loves the Easter Bunny too!

Uncle Max and Aunt Martina!

Whew.....the Easter Bunny is tired and hot!

Saturday at the church! That's Gabby in green, Annabelle is back there hiding her face (as usual). Haley and Chase are behind the boys! And of course, the boys were more interested in their candy!

My bunch!

Last night, I started my first solo pattern sewing project! I have made a few things before but I ended up getting Mom's help. I think I've been doing enough sewing lately that the paterns are finally making sense.

So, here it is! It looks a little deformed but that's only because I had my stuff in it already!

Here's another picture. Apparently, my camera is a little fogged or something. Anyway, I like it!
So, that's what's been going on! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend!

A Poem

I wish I may~I wish I might,
.....have not forgotten my camera tonight!

Okay~Okay, I didn't use proper English and it sounds a little funny but at least it rhymes
for Pete's sake! Cut me some slack people!
Anyway, I was trying to tell a story before ya'll (shut it...I live in the country, therefore ya'll is a word) starting yelling at me about grammer.
A few days ago I heard about a fund raising event that was going on at R.S. Central High School tonight at 7PM called "Dancing with the Rutherford Stars". And then, as with many other things I try to keep in my brain, I promptly forgot about it until this evening. So, I sprang the idea on Mom at 6:15 and we headed to the high school. Now, let me tell you, I'm so glad we did...it was so fun!
First of all, the emcee/master of ceremonies/hostess was Pam Stone! WHAT? You don't know who that is? Yeah, I didn't either to begin with. Well, do you remember the TV show "Coach"? Yes? Really, I loved that show too! Do you remember the big, blonde, goofy assistant coach and his girlfriend? Yes? Pam Stone was the girlfriend! Any who.....she was there hosting and funny...oh my word that woman is hilarious!
So, to make a long story short, we had students partnered with teachers, coaches, doctors, lawyers, parents or grandparents and one elementary age couple (my favorite)! These couples had varying routines ranging from ballroom dancing, swing, and the two-step to Monster Mash, the final scene in Dirty Dancing and a flashback to Grease!
Now, as someone who loves to dance, I was very impressed! They were all so fantastic! It cost 5 dollars to get in and it was 10 dollars to vote for your favorites! And the best part, they all raised a huge chunk of much-needed and well-deserved change for the school.
Note: one gentleman donated $1000 to the school with one condition....he wanted to be home in time to watch the Carolina game.....now that's a man who loves his local high school!
Know what the only drawback to the evening was? I forgot my camera at home!
The End!

Baby blues.......

I'm just excited because I finally got a few pictures without bumps, bruises or scratches......wait how is that possible? Anyway, ignore the smudged faces please...I do. I've learned over the last three years that I can wipe their little faces until the cows come home but it does no good! They were born dirt and grime magnets! So, look past the dirt please.....just enjoy those baby blues!

I think I have a plan.....

As some of you know I've been a little frustrated with my attempts to finish my education, (Translation: I'm in pre-nervous breakdown mode). To put things into perspective for you, at the end of this semester I will have completed all prerequisite classes for the Nursing program at Isothermal Community College, yet I have failed to make it into the program. My grades are more than up to par but I have realized that program entry is not merit based as it should be. So, I have decided that as of this Fall I will be applying for the Nursing program at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton. It's about 40 minutes away but it's a nice college with a great Nursing program and a higher passing rate than Isothermal Community College. Plus, there are few other women that I have class with who are going through the same problems at ICC and are planning to attend WPCC.....CARPOOL!!!! And the best part is....it's a merit-based entry program. The down-side is the next program there starts in the Fall of next year (2010), which means I have about a year and a half of nothing to do. So with all of this in mind, I haven't figured out yet if someone is trying to teach me patience or giving me an opportunity. A saying comes to mind, "When God closes one door He opens another". So, starting this summer I am going to start taking a few classes each semester and if all goes well I will graduate with an Associate degree at the end of the Summer semester next year. Which means, if I get into the nursing program at Western Piedmont next Fall I will finish my college career with 2 degrees instead of one. I think it's a good plan. I'm trying to do the best with what I've been given.
Kojak started a new job this week and he seems to enjoy it. Jobs are few and far between right now so he was very lucky that he had a friend who put in a good word.
So, that's the news, as boring as it is.

Around the funny farm....

Well, I know I haven't been on in a little while but I've been busy and disappointed and frustrated and, did I mention busy? There's been a lot going on around here. First of all, I wanted to let everyone know (in case you didn't know already) that I did not get into the nursing program this time. I'm not going to get into specifics because....well, I tend to get a little upset. Let's just say that some things are not merit based that really should be.
Alright, moving on!!!!!

James, where~Oh~where did your little eyes go?

Happy Birthday Mom! This is the cake I baked and decorated for mom. I think it goes without saying that cake decorating is not one of my talents. I should have remembered that less is more.

James, he thinks this sled is his surf board. Apparently he doesn't care that we don't have snow much less an ocean around here.

James.....they get real excited when they find big rocks in the yard.

Haley with my glasses on!

All three of the munchkins!

Don't ask.....cause I have no clue!

Haley had her first T-Ball practice this morning....this is her in the outfield with Chase (Shellie's son....born exactly 36 hours before Haley).

Taking a drink and a breather....I guess!

Miss Haley up to bat!

Checking out the dirt!

This is her team.....she is the only girl.....and she's taller than all but 2 of them. The little boy on the right end was supposed to be introducing himself but as you can see he's a little shy.

Today was also Work Day at the church. These are the crosses that Daddy constructed and put up today. We changed the cloth after this picture was taken and the new one looks much better. There were at least 3 lawn mowers out there fertilizing, liming and aerating the church lawn.

Daddy building!

Jamie digging holes!

And this is some strange woman who wanted to help but needs to pay more attention and move when the camera is pointed in her direction. Mental note: Don't let Mom hold the camera.

Quotes.....

• A friend is someone who not only accepts you for what you are but makes you feel good about being yourself. ~ Unknown
• Dreams are illustrations.....from the book your soul is writing about you. ~Marsha Norman
• A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. ~ David Brinkley
• By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and Third, by experience, which is the bitterest. ~ Confucius
• Ignorance is no excuse, it's the real thing. ~ Irene Peter
• Fate chooses your relations, you choose your friends. ~ Jacques Delille
• It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
• If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. ~ Maya Angelou
• In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. ~ Robert Frost
• Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first. ~ Mark Twain
• The only way to have a friend is to be one. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
• God defend me from my friends; from my enemies I can defend myself. ~ Unknown

Sorry guys, I have too many thoughts tumbling around in my head.
Hope everyone had a great weekend.