I am much better today and looking forward to a great Labor Day Week-end to kick off my favorite season. We have no huge plans. Bob is going to paint one of our guest bedrooms and I am going to quilt. We have a brunch at some friends that we are looking forward to on Sunday. It is at their home in Big Sky which is a beautiful mountain resort area with great golf courses and a wonderful ski area in the winter. But the biggest joy for us - we are both looking forward to "feeling good".
Enjoy the holiday and travel safe if you head out anywhere.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Oooh - it is a bad bug!
Bob and I have both had the "bad bug stomach flu" since in the middle of the night Sunday night. I couldn't move or keep anything down on Monday, but on Tuesday I had to go get my haircut. That was a mistake, but it had to be done - you know what I mean - you can't be sick and have bad hair. I came home from that and went horizontal again for the rest of that day. Yesterday, I had to get a quilt sent off and a couple other things done - not a good idea, but had to be done. Today I am semi-horizontal again. It is ba-a-a-d stuff. And - it is very contagious. Bob went into the office a bit on Tuesday and yesterday - and now the "lady who runs the place" (and that is not me - LOL) called in and said she had it this morning. I hope he is better than I am or it will be a long day. It is hard to work with people when you are stretched out on the floor as they come in. That just doesn't seem to be the best way to greet your customers. I am sure he is tougher than I am. I will get better!
I am also feeling overwhelmed with the new course I am teaching that I have not taught before. It is online and fortunately I am okay with the online part - just getting the students settled and started. It is a good job to have right now - I can do it stretched out in the recliner with my laptop on my lap - and it is warm which also feels good. I will get better!
It is so much fun to be sick! Or maybe it is more fun just to complain about it. I will get better!
I am also feeling overwhelmed with the new course I am teaching that I have not taught before. It is online and fortunately I am okay with the online part - just getting the students settled and started. It is a good job to have right now - I can do it stretched out in the recliner with my laptop on my lap - and it is warm which also feels good. I will get better!
It is so much fun to be sick! Or maybe it is more fun just to complain about it. I will get better!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
A great week . . .
I left for Laramie last Tuesday and had a great week. It is 560 miles from here to there. I have XM radio in my new car and it was wonderful as there are lots of those miles where a radio station is not available. In the past I have listened to books on tape and will again, but the radio was a nice break with great music and good interviews. I enjoyed the days there and drove back on Friday.
I stayed in the little cottage I am going to rent for the next months while I am there. I have a couple pictures here. It is very small, but it instantly felt like home. It is on the back of a large lot and the original owner of the "big house" had the cottage built for his daughter. It was a "kit house" from either Sears or Montgomery Ward. I will had to do more research to find the year.
The picture shown hanging over the buffet is exactly the same as one we have from Bob's family from about 1915.
Today was Weston's birthday - he is now a big two year old. Here is a picture of him at the family birthday party we had on
the deck last night. All of the grandparents were here and he had lots of attention. It was a fun night. He had a pool party today with his little friends.
Our Portland "kids" got home from Hawaii on Tuesday as well. Roy said he thinks Hawaii is why vacations were invented. I think they must have liked it! Here is a cute picture of our little hula girl.
It was a wonderful week. My first teaching assignment starts tomorrow. I have an introductory research class for grad students that is all online. I am looking forward to the challenges and the learning. I am feeling very blessed to have had this week - it has been a "big one".
I stayed in the little cottage I am going to rent for the next months while I am there. I have a couple pictures here. It is very small, but it instantly felt like home. It is on the back of a large lot and the original owner of the "big house" had the cottage built for his daughter. It was a "kit house" from either Sears or Montgomery Ward. I will had to do more research to find the year.
The picture shown hanging over the buffet is exactly the same as one we have from Bob's family from about 1915.Today was Weston's birthday - he is now a big two year old. Here is a picture of him at the family birthday party we had on
the deck last night. All of the grandparents were here and he had lots of attention. It was a fun night. He had a pool party today with his little friends.Our Portland "kids" got home from Hawaii on Tuesday as well. Roy said he thinks Hawaii is why vacations were invented. I think they must have liked it! Here is a cute picture of our little hula girl.
It was a wonderful week. My first teaching assignment starts tomorrow. I have an introductory research class for grad students that is all online. I am looking forward to the challenges and the learning. I am feeling very blessed to have had this week - it has been a "big one".
Sunday, August 19, 2007
I need a couple more days . . .
So - what else is new. I always need more time. I am heading to Laramie on Tuesday and my best friend, Bob, just bought me a new car so I will have "reliable" transporation for the year away. Now, I have had very reliable transportation, but I do put a lot of miles on with my frequent trips between here and Portland and between here and Denver. I currently have a 2003 Toyota 4Runner that I love, but I have managed to put over 100,000 miles on it. So, tomorrow I will trade it to Bob and I will get the "new" SUV. He got a really good deal on a 2007 TrailBlazer and I am sure I will like it. But, the deal is - if I don't like it as much as my Toyota, then he is going to trade me back. How is that for being loved?
My son and his little boy, Weston, went fishing yesterday. Here is a picture of Stan - he is my older son and I never get tired of seeing that smile. His little guy is Weston who will be 2 in a week. Weston's cast is off from the broken leg and he is more 
interested in M&M's than in fishing, but the time will come I am sure. I suspect it in in his genes.
Have a great week!
My son and his little boy, Weston, went fishing yesterday. Here is a picture of Stan - he is my older son and I never get tired of seeing that smile. His little guy is Weston who will be 2 in a week. Weston's cast is off from the broken leg and he is more 
interested in M&M's than in fishing, but the time will come I am sure. I suspect it in in his genes.Have a great week!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
It just doesn't get any better than this . . .
Today has been one of those days filled with wonderful people and events. You know the kind of day I mean. You just hate to see it end. I started out with my morning walk and while I was walking, it came to me what to do on a customer quilt that had me stuck. I got home really excited to get started. I have 5 customer quilts to finish by the end of the month. And then I will be on quilting sabbatical for 9 months except for my own work.
For lunch, I met a talented longarm quilter friend from another town and we had the best visit. I wish we were closer so we could share ideas. She is one of the most inspiring quilting artists and I feel blessed to know her. I first saw her her work on a discussion board right after I got my own longarm about 2 and a half years ago. She posted a beautiful yellow and while whole cloth and I was blown away. I knew from that point on what I wanted to do - LOL - I just needed to get some talent along the way.
This afternoon, I finalized arrangements for a place to live in Laramie. It is a perfect cottage and is all furnished and set up with dishes and linens. Wow! It is a miracle to find such a place in a small university town. I continue to be "over the moon" about this coming year. I also caught up with another longtime friend from my "Denver Days" on the phone. She actually lives close to Laramie so we will get to spend some face to face time this year.
And then tonight we had supper in town with another couple who are longtime friends that we don't see often enough. We ate in the outside dining area of a local brewpub, had wonderful food, laughed, enjoyed a good glass of cold, crisp pinot grigio and talked about Homecoming plans here and some of the past fun times we have had. We are all alums of this university and there is nothing better than gathering at Homecoming with old friends.
To close the day - here is a picture of a gorgeous Maui sunset my son just sent me. They are there for a holiday this week.
Yes - it was one of those very special days. . . fun, laughter, love, good friends and lots of blessings.
For lunch, I met a talented longarm quilter friend from another town and we had the best visit. I wish we were closer so we could share ideas. She is one of the most inspiring quilting artists and I feel blessed to know her. I first saw her her work on a discussion board right after I got my own longarm about 2 and a half years ago. She posted a beautiful yellow and while whole cloth and I was blown away. I knew from that point on what I wanted to do - LOL - I just needed to get some talent along the way.
This afternoon, I finalized arrangements for a place to live in Laramie. It is a perfect cottage and is all furnished and set up with dishes and linens. Wow! It is a miracle to find such a place in a small university town. I continue to be "over the moon" about this coming year. I also caught up with another longtime friend from my "Denver Days" on the phone. She actually lives close to Laramie so we will get to spend some face to face time this year.
And then tonight we had supper in town with another couple who are longtime friends that we don't see often enough. We ate in the outside dining area of a local brewpub, had wonderful food, laughed, enjoyed a good glass of cold, crisp pinot grigio and talked about Homecoming plans here and some of the past fun times we have had. We are all alums of this university and there is nothing better than gathering at Homecoming with old friends.
To close the day - here is a picture of a gorgeous Maui sunset my son just sent me. They are there for a holiday this week.Yes - it was one of those very special days. . . fun, laughter, love, good friends and lots of blessings.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Sunday evening . . .
We had a wonderful Sunday. This morning we went out to breakfast with our grandson Weston and his other grandmother from Colorado. Weston's parents are enjoying a week-end away. We ended our day with ice cream and a visit from our neighbors who have also been longtime friends.
In between - we fixed and enjoyed some good barbeque ribs and pulled pork with a couple salads. Now we also have a couple evening meals done for the week as well. I really like knowing that there is something good for supper that is easy to put together for the two of us. Tomorrow night we are going out to the annual summer feed for Bob's Kiwanis group. And - Weston visits tomorrow this week instead of Wednesday.
What do you call your evening meal? Do you call it "supper" or "dinner" or sometimes one or the other? I read the other day, that the word "supper" is quickly disappearing from use. I always think of supper as a lighter meal in the evening and dinner as a more formal meal in the evening. At our house, when there are just the two of us, we have supper.
It is going to be a very nice August week with lots of blessings and I hope yours is the same.
In between - we fixed and enjoyed some good barbeque ribs and pulled pork with a couple salads. Now we also have a couple evening meals done for the week as well. I really like knowing that there is something good for supper that is easy to put together for the two of us. Tomorrow night we are going out to the annual summer feed for Bob's Kiwanis group. And - Weston visits tomorrow this week instead of Wednesday.
What do you call your evening meal? Do you call it "supper" or "dinner" or sometimes one or the other? I read the other day, that the word "supper" is quickly disappearing from use. I always think of supper as a lighter meal in the evening and dinner as a more formal meal in the evening. At our house, when there are just the two of us, we have supper.
It is going to be a very nice August week with lots of blessings and I hope yours is the same.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Summer Days . . .
Some days are just too wonderful not to share.It is in the low 80's here and the humidity is low with a gentle breeze. The smoke from the fires is nearly gone for now. I have been quilting and loving every
moment. My "Miss Daisy" is behaving like a perfect lady. She is probably glad to be back in service after not being used for a while.I decided to take a break and went out on our back deck and
this is what I enjoyed as I looked out across our back yard.Some days are just too wonderful not to share.
I hope you are having the same kind of glorious week-end.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Finding a place to live . . .
No - I am not moving away from here. . . but I do need to find a place to live in Laramie for the year. It is a small university town so housing is tough at best. I am looking for a furnished place, small and private. It just needs to be big enough for my Gem, my coffee pot, my MacBook Pro, and with a nice soft bed. I know the right place will make itself known soon.
We are getting excited about this. Bob thinks it will be great to be closer to a Bronco game (no matter who they play) and even a Nuggets game if they are playing the Spurs or the Jazz.
As this is the 10th of August, I am getting closer to my favorite months which are September and October. I love this coming time of year. So here is a new meme to play if you want . . . "What do you like best about each month of the year?" . . . and organize them from your favorite to your least favorite while you are at it. Here are mine . . .
1. September - Nothing is better than the warm days and cool nights of early fall and you can really see Yellowstone Park and all of the animals without all of the traffic
2. October - Homecoming at our university here and the color of the leaves
3. November - Thanksgiving, turkey dinner and the Bobcat-Grizzly game (cross-state university football rivalry)
4. December - Christmas and all that goes with it - the joy, the love, the celebrations, the snow, Christmas Carols, family, and everything
5. April - Spring is on the way and it is my birthday season
6. May - I can plant my annuals and the trees have leaves again
7. June - Beautiful weather and everything is green as far as eye can see
8. August - I know that school is starting and I can get the biggest new box of crayons - yes, I still do that!
9. January - A time to rest after a busy fall, build big fires in the fireplace and eat lots of soup.
10. February - Valentines day and the whole month of love and mush to add to the big fires and lots of soup
11. March - You know that no matter what, winter is almost over even in the Northern Rockies
12. July - The hot, hot weather, 4th of July celebrations, and family picnics
So - now it is your turn. I hope you will give it a try.
We are getting excited about this. Bob thinks it will be great to be closer to a Bronco game (no matter who they play) and even a Nuggets game if they are playing the Spurs or the Jazz.
As this is the 10th of August, I am getting closer to my favorite months which are September and October. I love this coming time of year. So here is a new meme to play if you want . . . "What do you like best about each month of the year?" . . . and organize them from your favorite to your least favorite while you are at it. Here are mine . . .
1. September - Nothing is better than the warm days and cool nights of early fall and you can really see Yellowstone Park and all of the animals without all of the traffic
2. October - Homecoming at our university here and the color of the leaves
3. November - Thanksgiving, turkey dinner and the Bobcat-Grizzly game (cross-state university football rivalry)
4. December - Christmas and all that goes with it - the joy, the love, the celebrations, the snow, Christmas Carols, family, and everything
5. April - Spring is on the way and it is my birthday season
6. May - I can plant my annuals and the trees have leaves again
7. June - Beautiful weather and everything is green as far as eye can see
8. August - I know that school is starting and I can get the biggest new box of crayons - yes, I still do that!
9. January - A time to rest after a busy fall, build big fires in the fireplace and eat lots of soup.
10. February - Valentines day and the whole month of love and mush to add to the big fires and lots of soup
11. March - You know that no matter what, winter is almost over even in the Northern Rockies
12. July - The hot, hot weather, 4th of July celebrations, and family picnics
So - now it is your turn. I hope you will give it a try.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Where did this week go . . .
Here is it Thursday and I am still enjoying the Tuesday spirit. We are still very smoky. My brother and his wife have not been allowed back into their home after being evacuated last week-end due to a large, fast moving forest fire in their part of the mountains.
While at MQS, I bought a Janome Platinum 760 as a second machine to take with me when I travel. I have been using it some this week in the evenings and I am totally in love!
It is something special and the MQS price was too good to pass on - so I didn't! You can click on the picture and you will go to a site that has more info and a review if you are interested.
I have been working on a new blog - one for just my quilting and fiber art work. Here is the first post. FanciFibers What do you think? You can leave me a note here or if you know my email, just send me your thoughts through email. My new blog will just be a journal of my work - and there may be times when there is not much being added or changing.
I am going to teach full time this school year at the University of Wyoming. So that means, I will be there more than here, but I will post what and when I can about general stuff here and my fiber journey on FanciFibers.
Thanks,
Carol
While at MQS, I bought a Janome Platinum 760 as a second machine to take with me when I travel. I have been using it some this week in the evenings and I am totally in love!It is something special and the MQS price was too good to pass on - so I didn't! You can click on the picture and you will go to a site that has more info and a review if you are interested.
I have been working on a new blog - one for just my quilting and fiber art work. Here is the first post. FanciFibers What do you think? You can leave me a note here or if you know my email, just send me your thoughts through email. My new blog will just be a journal of my work - and there may be times when there is not much being added or changing.
I am going to teach full time this school year at the University of Wyoming. So that means, I will be there more than here, but I will post what and when I can about general stuff here and my fiber journey on FanciFibers.
Thanks,
Carol
Monday, August 6, 2007
A new week . . .
I love the "alphabet" meme I have seen on several blogs and I have enjoyed the "favorite things" list as well. So I decided to combine the 2 for a quick look at my favorite things. Of course there are lots of favorite things for some letters and others were hard for me, but I think I did it.
A - Apple, Inc. - a very innovative company I love and worked for for several years
B - Bob - my very special, favorite man - I am pretty lucky as he is also my husband
C - Carousel Horses - I collect them done in all sizes and styles and would love an original one from an actual carousel
D - Daisies - my favorite flowers
E - Endless. com - my favorite new place to buy shoes and purses online
F - French Horn - my favorite brass instrument
G - Gail - a favorite, longtime friend
H - "Hallelujah Chorus" - some favorite music
I - Indigo - I love the word and the color
J - John - my favorite, and only, brother
K - Kalispell - one of my favorite towns in Montana near Flathead Lake where I just found out my great grandparents are buried - no wonder I love the place.
L - Living Room - my favorite room in our home
M - Montana - I love my state!
N - Nothing - my favorite thing to do when I am tired
O - Oyster Stew - my favorite Christmas Eve supper
P - Piano - my beautiful instrument and favorite music
Q - Quilting of course
R - Roy - my son who lives in Portland and is Meagan's Dad
S - Stan - my son who lives here and is Weston's Dad
T - Toyota 4Runner - my favorite vehicle which I have now
U - Umbrella - one of my favorite things that we rarely need here
V - Velvet - a favorite fabric
W - Wednesday - my favorite day of the week
X - Xylophone - another favorite instrument
Y - Yo-Yo Ma - my very favorite cellist
Z - I love zebras - the colors and patterns - look like God had such a good time.
We have some friends in for a barbeque this week-end - nothing fancy, but Bob makes the best hamburgers and here is a picture to prove it. We had a great time visiting and laughing with friends we have know for years and years. It doesn't get any better than that!
It has cooled down some, but the fires have gotten worse in the state. My brother and his wife were evacuated from their mountain home in the middle of the night on Saturday. The good news is that they are safe and had some time to get their dog and some special things. They hadn't heard any more news as of last night about the status of their place, but they thought things sounded hopeful that the fire had started to move back onto itself.
A - Apple, Inc. - a very innovative company I love and worked for for several years
B - Bob - my very special, favorite man - I am pretty lucky as he is also my husband
C - Carousel Horses - I collect them done in all sizes and styles and would love an original one from an actual carousel
D - Daisies - my favorite flowers
E - Endless. com - my favorite new place to buy shoes and purses online
F - French Horn - my favorite brass instrument
G - Gail - a favorite, longtime friend
H - "Hallelujah Chorus" - some favorite music
I - Indigo - I love the word and the color
J - John - my favorite, and only, brother
K - Kalispell - one of my favorite towns in Montana near Flathead Lake where I just found out my great grandparents are buried - no wonder I love the place.
L - Living Room - my favorite room in our home
M - Montana - I love my state!
N - Nothing - my favorite thing to do when I am tired
O - Oyster Stew - my favorite Christmas Eve supper
P - Piano - my beautiful instrument and favorite music
Q - Quilting of course
R - Roy - my son who lives in Portland and is Meagan's Dad
S - Stan - my son who lives here and is Weston's Dad
T - Toyota 4Runner - my favorite vehicle which I have now
U - Umbrella - one of my favorite things that we rarely need here
V - Velvet - a favorite fabric
W - Wednesday - my favorite day of the week
X - Xylophone - another favorite instrument
Y - Yo-Yo Ma - my very favorite cellist
Z - I love zebras - the colors and patterns - look like God had such a good time.
We have some friends in for a barbeque this week-end - nothing fancy, but Bob makes the best hamburgers and here is a picture to prove it. We had a great time visiting and laughing with friends we have know for years and years. It doesn't get any better than that!It has cooled down some, but the fires have gotten worse in the state. My brother and his wife were evacuated from their mountain home in the middle of the night on Saturday. The good news is that they are safe and had some time to get their dog and some special things. They hadn't heard any more news as of last night about the status of their place, but they thought things sounded hopeful that the fire had started to move back onto itself.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Smoky Day . . .
It is a smoky day here in Montana today. There are lots of forest fires everywhere and the smoke is very thick. It has been an unusually hot and dry summer here - lots of days in July that were in the high 90's and 100's - that is not our normal weather. August is usually our hot dry month, but I hope we get some moisture and cooler weather to help fight the fires.
I have been having fun with creating and changing my avatar and I changed the background to show the hazy look caused by all of the smoke. That is our Scotty, Kassie, also in the picture. She is a joy!
The news about the bridge failure in Minneapolis has kept me close to the news yesterday and today. My heart and prayers are with the families there. I have been over that bridge a few times when I was traveling for work. It really is an eye opener about the safety of so many of our bridges that were built decades ago when there was no idea how heavy the traffic using them would become.
Not much else going on today - working on my quilting projects.
Be sure those you love hear it from you today. Have a good week-end.
I have been having fun with creating and changing my avatar and I changed the background to show the hazy look caused by all of the smoke. That is our Scotty, Kassie, also in the picture. She is a joy!
The news about the bridge failure in Minneapolis has kept me close to the news yesterday and today. My heart and prayers are with the families there. I have been over that bridge a few times when I was traveling for work. It really is an eye opener about the safety of so many of our bridges that were built decades ago when there was no idea how heavy the traffic using them would become.
Not much else going on today - working on my quilting projects.
Be sure those you love hear it from you today. Have a good week-end.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Generations . . .
My Mom and Dad are celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary tomorrow - August 2nd. They are amazing people. They live on their own in their hometown about 200 miles west of here. Mom swims and exercises 3 times a week and she does beautiful oil paintings. She started painting about 10 years ago. Dad loves to visit and play cribbage with his buddies. Mom also has a wonderful antique quilt collection that she has put together over the past 20 years. Many of her quilts are from the time between 1850 and 1900. Here is a picture of one of her favorites dated about 1860. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
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