I made it through this last week! I was not looking forward to it. I was hitting the big 60 on Tuesday. This is the first time a birthday number has bothered me. Thanks to my friends....I made it!

Shirley called Monday night. She counseled with me and assured me that I would get over it. (She's already been there so her prior knowledge helped a great deal.) If I did end up having problems she said I could call her and she would walk me through it.

I was sure my friends at work would have my desk covered in black but, bless their hearts, I found balloons and a flag banner instead with lots of cards and gifts from special people. Tuesday is my big library class day and every class sang to me....loud and clear. You need to understand that our school has an open floor plan so all the classes heard every time Happy Birthday was sung.

That evening more people came. One of them was Jodi from Simply This That and the Other. She had some VERY exciting news and brought a beautiful gift. You'll need to keep checking her web site for her VERY exciting news.

I love my birthday present! Look at the detail and the wonderful label.


I wanted to put it on my coffee table but I didn't want Chloe to walk on it with her muddy feet.

"Who me? I wouldn't think of walking on it with my muddy feet. I would rather just sleep on it."

Chloe is also known as "Nasty Cat" for her uneven temperament. Getting older has helped her...some. She won't get the opportunity to even touch it because it is going on my mother-in-law's treadle sewing machine that is in my living room.

My husband bought a wonderful chocolate cake for me and Carrie and the grandkids came over. Mike and Levi were there, too, so I had a great party. Thanks, everyone for making it easier to be 60.

I was wandering around in blog land this morning and found a link to Green Fairy Quilts. She's having a giveaway! She has a great blog but make sure you visit her store, too. What great patterns. You need to go see them.

I think I just might survive being 60. Hopefully, I'll make it for another 60! Hmmm.....120..I don't think so!

She just won't leave me alone! She wants more posts. Well....let's see what I can come up with....



Her dad's birthday? No..she was there. Her sister baked the cake. That's his command car that he restored. She's ridden in it several times.

My t-shirt? Hmmm...she's seen it many times. I got this at Rosie's Calico Cupboard in San Diego about seven or eight years ago. I got one for my friends, too. We get great reactions from people when we wear them to Fabric Depot.

I still think she wants to see or read something else. I'll have to ponder on this one.

If you haven't been there lately go visit Jodi at Simply This, That, and the Other. She has a fantastic blog with so many great ideas. She also turned me from No Blogger Sheri to someone who actually has a blog. That is a great accomplishment.....at least for me.

OK...have I meandered around enough to make her happy?

OK...my daughter has been harassing me. One post a week is not enough for her. I've been thinking about my next post for the last few days...trying to figure out how to say what I really mean. I guess I'll just give it a try.

Do things ever happen in your life and when you look back on them you realize that someone said something or did something that you really needed to hear or have help with? As I've been thinking about the last few months it occurred to me that one person kept popping up just when I needed her. I don't think Jodi has any idea how much she has been there for me when I needed someone just to be there. For those of you who are familiar with her blog, you know how talented she is. She is also fun to be with, and always encouraging. I have to give a big thank you to Jodi for just being there and making life a lot of fun. I must admit that when she came "shopping" for fabric last Wednesday I was jealous that she was upstairs with my daughter choosing fabrics while I was downstairs teaching piano. However, I'm sure I'll be able to get her over here again.....especially if Carrie is here, too!

Thanks, Jodi, just for being you!

I finished my special order diaper bag today...no school, MLK Day.

I'm not sure I can sell it. I think it is just about the cutest one I've made.

I made one of the pockets big enough for diapers and added elastic bands to hold bottles. I think I got the elastic too low, though. Oh, well....that's what happens when you alter patterns for the first time. I also made two changing pad covers to go over the pad she already has. (Yes, those are more jeans in the bottom left corner. I still have two big boxes and two sacks of jeans to cut!)

Yesterday we went to the Mt. Hood Pops concert. One of our daughters plays the oboe in the orchestra. It was very enjoyable. However, the wind was howling. The concert was canceled earlier in the morning because of falling trees and branches but then they said it was OK so off we went. I really enjoy classical music! Enough rambling for now.

It's been way too long since I did a post. I am feeling guilty. Life has taken over my life this last week. I'm back at work and had so much fun during Christmas Break that I wasn't ready to go back so this last week kind of just happened. I did do some things but I must get more organized or I will be in trouble.

As you remember (I hope), I long-armed a quilt last Saturday. Well, I finished it!


Thanks to those whose fingers are showing! I always try to quilt my initials on each quilt I do.

Sometimes it looks better than other times. This one isn't too bad. I love quilting with the bright variegated thread.

This quilt is a twin to the 30's quilt I already finished.

This isn't the best picture but you get the idea. I just noticed that it is being held upside down. The flower square isn't going in the right direction. Both quilts are for sale. Let me know if you are interested.

Saturday morning I went to book club. It was a potluck brunch. We have a wonderful group in our book club....lots of fun and laughter. We ate, talked about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, ate some more, chose our books for next year, and decided to start a blog for The Book Worm Bunch. We figured that was the easiest way to get the schedule out and post the recipes from our brunch.

My daughter and I went to Fabric Depot in the afternoon. I needed to pick up some fabric for a Bow Tuck Tote that someone ordered. She wants it for a diaper bag and it had to be pink and brown.


I love this fabric! I'll put covered elastic loops inside to hold bottles. She also wants a changing pad. She has a plastic one. I think I will make covers for it so she can just switch when one needs washing. See the cork floor behind the fabric. My dear hubby put that in for me. I love it!

Just so I won't be bored I started on the bow tie quilts. These are project probation quilts. I took this class four or five years ago and never finished them. Carrie showed me the setting she wanted and I started putting it together.

After I get the center put together I'll add borders. Hmmm..I wonder what color? I still have plenty more to make another quilt.


I might have to sew some more, though, if I want to make three quilts for Carrie's girls. Wouldn't that be sad? I have to sew some more!

OK...I've rambled enough. It has been fun to see the kids at school again. I've also had some good laughs because of their antics. I will try to run my life better instead of letting life run me.