Friday, May 27, 2011

Where Did it Go?

This week spun by in a blur.  It seems like just yesterday it was Monday and I was wishing I didn't have to go to work.  Now it's Friday before a long weekend.  YEAH!

Although I do have a long to do list for this weekend also.

I would like to say I am praying for all the families affected by the horrific storms hitting a little further south of us in Missouri.  I am also praying for all our families and friends getting flooded out in Montana.


This spring has been just insane for weather.  While I am not really an overly religious person, I do believe in prayer and meditation.  Sometimes faith and hope are all that get me through hard times, by the skin of my teeth.  Well that and friends and family.

So just know that a lot of people in this world are all thinking if you now and sending positive energy, thoughts and prayers your way.

As one of my daughters favorite movies always says (repeatedly) keep moving forward.

Gentrie

Sunday, May 22, 2011

The last block....

The last block on Mom's quilt has 32 pieces in it, and is 8" x 8" square when finished.  Here are a few photos of the process...

Chain piecing the squares together...sewing a 1/4" on each side of the line.

Cutting apart the squares once sewn on both sides.....cut down the line.

After ironing the new half-squares I trim them down to 2-1/2" square, 16 total.

Laying out the pattern of the star from the trimmed down squares......for sewing together.

Here they are along the top of the quilt.  Sorry my flash decided to quit working.

TA DA!  Quilt done, well almost, now it has to be quilted and bound......but real close!  The hardest part is done.

I hope Mom loves it.  I'll share pictures after it is quilted and bound.

Gentrie

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Babies & Lonliness

Well, I was glad to see the world did not end today.  I have a few things I want to do before that happens, hopefully it doesn't end next December either, that's not enough time to get it all done.

I am relaxing this weekend, but then I find I have too much time to 'think'.  So I found some stuff to do (didn't have to look too hard).

There are thunderstorm warnings all around us, and a lot of Montana where my husband, sister and other friends and family are facing flooding.  The ground over there is clay and does not absorb much water, it just runs off.  Now the mighty Yellowstone and a few other creeks and rivers are overflowing.

I'm not liking having a split family this weekend, I'm alone and bored.  Oh, I have things to do, and I work on them, but that does not change the facts.

Excuse me........(don't sneeze on your monitor, sheez, yuck).

I'm hoping all that will change soon, one way or another. 

Until then we will keep on, talking on the phone everyday.  Waiting with baited breath.......

I found out today that I am going to be a Great Aunt!  Yippee!  I get to make a baby blanket!  It has been a while since I've made one of those.

Gentrie

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Back.....Finally!

Whew!  Why is it the drive back always seems to take ten times longer than the drive over?  I was up for 26 hours straight, so when we got home today I took a nap!

Drama, drama, drama.......

I didn't get to see as near as many people as I would have liked to.  Family matters ended up taking precedence, and it ended up being a very stressful weekend for me.  I'm actually glad to be back, to relax and unwind.

The wind all weekend was INSANE, and my allergies were in overdrive.  I did get to ride on a Harley and had some fun with family in between the drama.


Graduation was nice too.  I can't believe that little girl clinging to her Daddies leg in my office at 3 is now a high school graduate!

Sheesh!

Brother and Sister, yes he's going through his scruffy/hippy stage, don't all boys (I mean young men)?

Brent being chased by Taliyah on the tires.  Brent got bucked off a little tire shortly after this so he was 'it'.

Sydney reminiscing what it is like being a little girl.......

The proud Dad and the graduate.....

Sisters, 7 and 18.........

It was good to see everyone we did get to see.  I'm sorry I couldn't connect with the ones we didn't.  It was a little crazy. 

Good Luck in life Sydney!  We love you to pieces!

Gentrie

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

I had kind-of a bitter sweet Mother's Day.  I got the most wonderful gifts.  Precious homemade gifts from my daughter and my new wedding ring. 

We were really missing Mark though.  I wish he could have been here for me getting my ring.

Let me just say before I post the pictures, that the stone in this ring is NOT a diamond, it's much more meaningful.  This stone was mined by mine and my husband's hands on our honeymoon.  It is quartz, no I do not know genus and family or any of the exact classifyings.  It was then stashed with many others like it into a Ziploc bag, it's fate yet unknown, to any of us.

It emerged from the Ziploc bag, that has sat in our closet for 10 years and looked like it was full of dirty rocks, last year.

Finally one of those dirty little rocks realised it's true potential.  The design of the ring was a collaboration of me and the gold smith.  It is made of white and yellow gold.  She did a wonderful job!



Drum roll please...........






Top View


This is what it looks like on my hand.  I have long fingers and big hands.

I love it.

Believe it or not is cost way less than a diamond wedding ring and it really means SO much more.

It's more LARGE and Bling than what I would normally wear, but you only live once right?  So what the hell.

Happy Mother's Day to you all!

  Here is the Goldsmith who made the ring, she was great, and reasonable!

Stones Throw Gallery
Patty Conlin
www.stonesthrowgallery.org
St Peter, MN

Note:  This is not a paid advertisement.  While Patty, obviously, knows who I am, she has NO clue I am writing this blog.  Thanks!

Gentrie

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Auntie Ruth

My Great Aunt Ruth passed away last night.  She was 100 years o;d, and still sharp as a tack.  From what I understand she had a stroke.  She was my Grandma's sister on my Dad's side.  Since my grandma passed when i was in High School she was knid-of like another Grandma to me.

We'll miss her.  I'll miss her.

I got my new wedding ring today!  AWESOME!  We had it made from one of the crystals we mined on our honeymoon.  It looks very beautiful.  I'll post pictures tomorrow.

I spent the evening burning old paperwork in our fire pit out back.  Mmmmmmm, smokey!  I love the smell of campfire.

OK, I have to go to bed now.  See you all tomorrow!

Gentrie

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Meditation

I think I'm going to go meditate.  The nerves and stress are getting to me.  I can't sleep.

Other things are going on too and it just makes it all worse.  I think the only way to get it under control is some serious meditation.  Focus, center, re-energize.......

Focus on the light and bring it in.

Feel all the black seep out of my body and being replaced with the light.

What do you people do to decompress?  Any other suggestions?

Gentrie

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Ready, Set, Go!

The house is ready!  I worked my butt off this weekend!  I had help today though, Thanks Rachel!

My daughter was snapping pictures right and left today.  I'm just sorting through them now.  Let's see what she came up with this time.........
Millie, my friend Rachel's daughter was here today to help distract, I mean play with Hailey. :)

Yep, that's distracting!



Rachel, I never realised you were that short!  HA!HA!HA!  Boy I look like crap, I'd only been cleaning for 2 days straight.  I should lean a little more next time.  She's my bud!


I'll show pictures of the house next go around.  It smells like sweet tarts in here, yum!

Those stupid eggs are still in my fridge too!  Bleh!


Gentrie