Family Needs have Silenced my Singer........Temporarily

I thought I would put up a quick post to let you all know that I am fine, one of you actually sent an email inquiring which makes me feel good.  I am glad I was missed...

But, All is well.  Just BUSY BUSY BUSY!  Josh left for the University of Akron on Friday.  I had a golf outing with my employer on Saturday.  We have started preparing for MaryAnna to move in this Sunday!  Chyenne turns 11 this week.  I have to take the girls to the Dance Studio for open house and sign up for classes this fall.  The Auditors will be in this week, so preparation at work has been intense.  I have inventory next month, and have had to begin preparation for that, so the past 10 days has been NUTS!  I thought I'd have a little time on Sunday to sew, but alas, something came up and I didn't get a chance to, but I have to say this...

I LOVE MY Local Quilt Shop!!  Quilt Trends in Columbus, OH!  I stopped by on Saturday, and they were closed (I was thinking they were open until 6 PM, but they closed at 5 PM, I arrived at about 5:30 PM).  David (Shop Owner) saw me, opened the door, and called out to me as I was getting back into my car, "Hey Paul... Do you need something?  Come on In."  All I needed was some thread, but that is the kind of customer service that will keep me going there for my quilting needs.  If they carry it, I'm buying it there.  Even if it costs me a little extra.  I don't think JoAnn's would open their door after they closed, and I am certain they don't know my name!

Anyway, I'll get back to quilting soon, I promise.  I have two projects to be quilted, several WIPs and two new projects just waiting to get started.  I just have to finish painting MaryAnna's room, register for dance classes, Celebrate a birthday, Run to Athens and back, Run to Akron and back, Cover the desk of a vacationing employee, keep up with my own responsibilities at work this week, Buy some furniture and set it up, and THEN if I have enough energy left, I'll get to quilt this week...

Until Next Time,
Paul

Happy Fourth of July!!

The fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays.  It is special to me for many reasons, the most obvious being that this day celebrates the "Birthday" of the country that I love.  It is the country of my birth and my citizenship, but having traveled all over the world, I wouldn't choose another.

Red, White and Blue... Our Flag... Stars and Stripes... Our Heritage... Our Founders... Our Constitution... Our Declaration of Independence...Our Freedom...

I was taught about all of these as I was growing up.  My Grandparents always played a large roll in my Fourth of July celebrations.  My earliest memory of a Fourth of July celebration is July 4, 1976.  Our 200th Birthday was celebrated in a HUGE fashion, and I spent the day with my Paternal Grandparents. I got to get on a Firetruck, we ate Hot Dogs and Popcorn, and Grandpa bought me an Icee.  We stayed out late to watch Fireworks, and I spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  It was a memorable day in a 9 year old boy's life.

Two years ago, I went to Arizona to spend a few days with Grandma and Grandpa the first week of July.  It turned out to be Grandma's last Fourth of July.  A short 10 days after my visit she went to the doctor and less than 8 weeks later she went to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Easter was Grandma's favorite holiday, followed by Christmas, and Fourth of July.  I remember many of each of those three holidays spent with Grandma and Grandpa.

Today, I will take my children to the local celebration.  We will eat hot dogs & popcorn, and I'll buy Icees, or more likely, Dippin' Dots.  We'll stay out late and watch fireworks, and maybe years from now they'll be writing about their Fourth of July Memories.

I did spend some time yesterday quilting, my post on Quilty Stuff for this weekend will post tomorow... Until then, HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!

Until Next Time,
Paul