Quilt Festival

I went to the Houston Quilt Festival yesterday.  I went with 3 sisters from the ward.  Two of us got separated from the others - which I think may have been intentional since we were going slower than they wanted to go!  It didn't matter though - we had a great time and saw everything we wanted to see.  And we all ate lunch together, so they didn't ditch us altogether!

If you have never been to the Quilt Festival, you need to go. Unless, of course, you hate quilts and quilting stuff.  Then it probably wouldn't be much fun!  The Festival is held at the George R. Brown Convention Center.  Half of the Exhibition Hall is full of hundreds of beautiful quilts.  It is simply amazing what some people can do with fabric!  I can't even imagine ever being able to make quilts like the ones on display.

The other half of the Exhibition Hall is my favorite part - shopping!! Hundreds of booths full of quilting supplies - sewing machines, fabric, patterns, sewing gadgets, and more!  You name it, it's probably there somewhere.  Plus booths full of jewelry - mostly women go to the Quilt Festival, you know.  

Plus they sell something that I have to buy every time I go to the Quilt Festival - cinnamon pecans and almonds!  I know they don't have anything to do with quilting.  But so what!  Cinnamon pecans and almonds are fantastic!

This is one of my favorite quilts.  I love blue and have always loved quilts done in blue and white like that.  And look at the workmanship - it's amazing.

Scott's Birthday!

Scott turned 15 today!  I can't believe my baby is that old.  

This is a picture of him when he was 4-1/2.  No, he's not missing an eye!  He was wearing a patch to correct some vision problems.  

Look at how much blonder his hair was!  He was my only one with blonde hair, but, alas, it's becoming browner all the time.

I realize this picture isn't as cute as the fish picture, but I wanted to show one from when he was younger.  He was a fun little boy - although he could throw a tantrum that would try the patience of Job!  And I did not have Job's patience, so I was often tried!  

I know his birthday wasn't as exciting as he would have liked - what with school, band, and Scouts, but he did get cake and some great presents!  

Happy Birthday, Scott! 

More About "The Notebook"

I watched "The Notebook" on Saturday evening.  I was home alone - the boys were at a Band thing and Robert was at work (poor guy).  The movie was pretty tame.  The only part you could maybe question was when engaged Allie went to see Noah, and things happened.  So at that point I am kind of watching, kind of doing other things, when in walked Jeffrey and Scott!  I paused the movie to ask about Band, but then they just sat in the family room.  I finally started the movie again, and fortunately they pretty much ignored it, and that part was almost over.  I realize that that part of the movie was not bad, and not as bad as you can see on some TV shows, but I still don't enjoy watching it with my teenage boys!  

Before my parents passed away, my mom used to spend time in their bedroom while my dad was watching TV in the family room.  He liked to watch R rated action movies on cable (my parents weren't members of the Church).  A lot of those R rated action movies usually have at least one scene with a woman topless (so I've heard).  That scene would always come on screen whenever my mom happened to be walking from their bedroom to the kitchen!  She would always see it.  It never failed.  It's like she had some sort of "topless woman in scene" radar!  And then she would exclaim, "George!  Why are you watching movies like that!" Poor man - he just wanted to see some explosions and killing!  

Oh Those Missionaries!

Brian sent us his weekly e-mail.  He said for P-Day they played Dodgeball.  One of the missionaries threw the ball at one of the sisters to try to get her out.  One of Brian's teammates leaped in front of her and caught the ball.  All the while yelling the scripture from the Book of Mormon where it talks about how the Nephites were fighting to protect their women and children!  Gotta love those missionaries!

Bailey

All of the blogs I read have been quiet - including mine.  I feel the need to post. Robert has forbidden me from posting about him, so you get the dog!  

This is Bailey.  She is a purebred beagle. Yes, we are well aware of the fact that she does not look like your typical beagle.  As we like to say, "she's a poor representation of her breed."  Funny story - the dog that won the Westminster Dog Show this year was a beagle named Uno.  Woo hoo for Uno! He is a beautiful beagle.  I recently found out that one of his trainers lives in the area, so Uno has been to our vet. I told Kimberly I would have to make sure to never bring Bailey in at the same time as him - lest they confuse the two!  Ha Ha Ha!! Too truly understand how funny that is, google Uno the beagle, and compare his picture to Bailey's. You will laugh, too!

Bailey is 12-1/2 years old.  As much as we love her, we will be the first to admit that she is neurotic. She has extreme separation anxiety. Seriously, I can leave the house for two minutes, and when I come back she is so excited to see me that you would think I had been gone for a month. I'm pretty sure she could benefit from some doggie Prozac!  

We also have 2 Siamese cats (I will post about them later). While Bailey has lived with us for 8 years longer than the cats, she is definitely not the Alpha in our home!  She is terrified of both of them.  If one of the cats walks up to her, she will avert her eyes, believing that if she can't see them, they can't see her!  Too bad it doesn't work!

Neuroses and all - we do love our Bailey!

Movie Review

I watched a movie tonight.  Kimberly, don't hate me.  I watched "The Notebook".  (Covers ears so as not to hear Kimberly screaming.)  What's more - I liked it!  I'm sorry, Kimberly!!  I got sucked into the story and enjoyed it.  It was better than old reruns on TV!

I have to admit that I might not have watched it, except for the fact that because of a problem, Netflix sent me 2 extra movies.  Since that meant I had 5 movies at one time, I added it to my queue.  And I'm glad I did!  

What about those of you who read my blog?  If you have seen the movie, are you on Kimberly's side? Or do you agree with me?

Because Jen Asked...

Here are the infamous Titanic pictures (see "Scott" post if you don't know what I'm talking about).

This is Heather and Scott.  Note the drama.

"Near, far, wherever you are,

I believe that the heart does go on."

This is Heather and her brother Steven.  

"Once more you opened the door,"

And finally, Jeffrey and Heather. At least he's taller than her.

"And you're here in my heart,

And my heart will go on and on."

Don't they make you cry, just like the movie?

Old Town Spring

Kimberly and I went to Old Town Spring today.  Old Town Spring, for those of you who don't know, is basically an old residential area, except the houses have been turned into shops.  Here are some observations about Old Town Spring:

1. It's been a few years since I've been there, but a lot of the stores I remembered were gone.  

2. Old Town Spring is not wheelchair friendly.  There were ramps up to the shop porches, but then there was still a step or two to get into the shops.  Also, the sidewalks were very uneven.  I saw a woman pushing an older woman in a wheelchair.  Not only was it difficult, but the lady in the wheelchair was really being bounced.  

3. A shop selling Asian objects seemed out of place.  We did enjoy their handwritten sign, though:  "Camera We Watch You".  Very nice.

4. Most of the shops seemed to be run by older women or gay men.   

5. The main objective of the shops seemed to be to cram as much stuff as possible into them, with aisles barely wide enough for normal sized people.  Between me and my large purse, I was a little nervous a few times!  I think they do that so that can guarantee a "you break it, you bought it" sale!

6. Funnel cake is yummy!  

7. You will not find Wal-Mart prices at Old Town Spring.  But that's okay.  I did get a metal scarecrow and some metal pumpkins, all on stakes and ready to be put in my front yard.  And they were half price - which makes their price reasonable!  But they are very cute - come by in November and you will see them. 

8. A bubble machine can blow a random bubble over a block away!

9. I do not like street parking.

10. I like shopping with Kimberly!

There you go.  My astute observations about Old Town Spring.

More Scott

When I was looking for a picture of Scott, I totally forgot about this one. Kimberly reminded me of it in her Comments on my first Scott post.  Rather than just change the picture, which would have necessitated changing the post, I am posting about Scott again - just so I can use this picture!

We went on a cruise in June.  If you have ever been on a cruise you know about the hoards of photographers that line the halls every evening - just looking for people to take pictures of.  Well, Scott was walking along by himself, minding his own business, when a photographer pretty much forced him to get some pictures taken.  In front of an ocean background.  With stuffed fish and fish puppets.  Yes, he does have a fish puppet on his hand.  And yes, he is posed with a stuffed fish biting his leg.  But you know what?  I love this picture!!  I would have bought more of the set, but at $30.00 for an 8X10, I decided one was enough!

Thanks for the reminder, Kimberly!

And now I do believe I have made up for my initial slowness in posting about Scott!

Scott

Last, but definitely not least, is Scott. He is 4 days short of being 15.  Woo hoo for birthdays!! He is a freshman this year. I must say, it has been a lot easier having both of the boys at the same school.  My life is much simpler (especially with Jeffrey driving).

This picture was taken at a park during Spring Break.  We were there with Jeffrey, my sister, and her 2 kids still at home.  We were basically trying to get the boys out of the house and away from the video games for awhile!  They complained a little (well maybe a lot), but ended up having fun at the park (as evidenced by the picture).  The funniest pictures are the recreations of the classic Titanic pose.  You know the one - Leonardo and Kate standing on the bow with their arms outstretched.  Heather, the only girl left at home, recreated the picture with each of the boys!  If you ask nicely, I may post them sometime....

Scott is also in Band.  Right now he is playing a mellophone, which looks kind of like a trumpet on steroids.  That is the instrument he plays during Marching Band season.  He has decided he really likes the mellophone.  More than he likes his Concert Band season instrument - which is the French horn.  It would be very difficult to march with a French horn, so they use a mellophone during Marching season. But he won't be allowed to play the mellophone during Concert season. It's apparently not a "concert instrument".  He claims to be a better mellophone player than he is a French horn player - saying he doesn't hear pitches very well and has trouble controlling his "embouchure".  Jeffrey and I contend that if he ever actually practiced his French horn, he might realize he is actually a good player....

Scott, in social terms, is somewhere between Jeffrey and Brian.  He does enjoy getting together with friends, but he is terrible with some other social activities.  Such as using the phone.  In his calling as Teacher's Quorum President he often has to call the boys in his quorum.  You would think that he was being asked to call 87 strangers and sing to them with the way he reacts.  I think he will probably stay in that calling until he overcomes his phone phobia, or turns 16 - whichever comes first!

I still find it hard to believe that my baby is (almost) 15.  It seems I was always wishing for him to grow up and be done with elementary school or middle school, but now I realize the time is racing by very quickly.  Before long I will have wished him out of high school, and right out of the house. I guess I need to stop wishing and just enjoy him while he's home.

More Kimberly

Apparently my post on Kimberly was the shortest. That's not good.  The fact that I haven't even posted about Scott is of no importance.  Here's more Kimberly.

I mentioned her obsession with some Science Fiction shows.  One of those shows is "Firefly", although it's not at the top of her list. One of the characters - a guy named Jayne (yes, that's right, Jayne) - had a hat like that.  So Kimberly knit herself a Jayne hat!  It's pretty cute, and if she had made a bunch in advance, she could have sold them at the conventions. Be prepared next time!  

First off, THIS IS NOT HER BOYFRIEND!!  THIS IS AN ACTOR FROM A TV SHOW!  In my initial post about Kimberly and her Sci Fi conventions, she mentioned (in the Comments section) that she had been hugged by Gareth David-Lloyd, who is an actor on the TV show "Torchwood". This is that picture.  She is very fond of that picture (who wouldn't be?)  Doesn't it look like an engagement picture?  

There, more posting about Kimberly.  Maybe she'll stop bugging me now!!

Jeffrey

This is Jeffrey. He is 17 and a senior in high school. This isn't the greatest picture of him, but it shows him doing what he does so well.  He is a percussionist. He doesn't enjoy playing snare drums though. He really enjoys and excels at playing mallet instruments, like the marimba, or xylophone, or others which I am not sure how to spell.  I wish I had a video of him playing marimba.  He is a lot of fun to watch because he plays with great flair.  

Jeffrey, especially compared to pre-college Brian, is very social.  He really likes getting together with friends from Church or school.  During the summer, especially after he got his license, he seemed to be gone all the time.  

Jeffrey's plans for the future?  Graduate from high school and go off to college for a year.  He wants to go to Texas A&M.  That seems to be our family's college of choice.  I graduated from there, Kimberly graduated from there, and Brian went there the year before his mission and plans to go back after his mission.  So it would probably be more surprising if he didn't go there!  Jeffrey plans to major in Accounting and Economics, and his long term goal is to work for the Federal Reserve!  No small aspirations for him!

I said he wants to go to college for a year.  After that year he wants to serve a mission for our Church.  I know it's something we teach our boys since they are little, but it still has to be their decision.  I'm glad that he has decided that is what he wants to do.

I find I enjoy my kids more and more the older they get. I've always managed to have a good relationship with them, and I just think they are lots of fun.  Jeffrey really seems to have come into his own this last year or so, and I'm glad I get to see it happening.

Things I Have Learned

Having a son in the Dominican Republic has been interesting.  Here are a couple of things I have learned:

1.  Be very leery of using credit cards.  Brian used his at a Burger King.  3 weeks later a fraudulent version of his card was used at 2 gas stations in Texas!  4 months, and much mental anguish later, I finally got the situation resolved and the charges removed.  FYI - make sure you are also authorized on your son's credit card if he is going to a Third World country.  We finally got Brian to send a letter giving me permission to talk to someone about his account.  Until that time, though, I couldn't seem to get them to understand that Brian didn't have easy access to phones or faxes. Nightmare time!

2.  While the USPS is very reliable, the same cannot be said for the Dominican Republic package delivery system. Brian's birthday was in May, so I mailed his package at the end of March.  When did he receive it?  LAST WEEK!!  6-1/2 months after I mailed it!  How crazy is that!?!  On the bright side, he enjoyed the package (it was a nice surprise), and said all the junk food I sent still tasted fine (the wonder of preservatives).  He was surprised to discover that Starbursts actually melt (not that that kept them from eating them)!  I guess I had better get his Christmas package in the mail...

If I learn any other useful tips, I will let you know!

Brian

This is Brian.  He's 20, and my oldest son.  I love this picture of him. It was taken by my sister in August of 2007. Why is Brian riding a scooter in a suit?  Well, the scooter is his cousin's - he was bringing it to BYU.  The suit is because he had already been set apart as a missionary for our Church.  We were in Utah getting ready to drop him off at the Provo MTC (Missionary Training Center) to begin serving his 2 year mission.  He spent 3 weeks in Provo, and was then sent to the Dominican Republic, where he is currently living.  He is serving in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission.

It's hard to believe that he has been gone for almost 14 months. What is even harder to believe is how much he has changed.  We get weekly e-mails from him, and after reading one I will sometimes think, "Who is this man, and what has he done with my son?"  Brian's mission has definitely been a growing experience for him.  

He is, however, still a true and proud Texan, and a diehard Texas Aggie!  Whoop!  I guess some things never change!

While I am enjoying this time as a "Missionary Mom", I am looking forward to the day when I can watch him walking toward me in the airport and know that he has returned safely home.  I'm sure a few tears will be shed...

Kimberly

This is Kimberly, my oldest child and only daughter. She is riding my bike, lest any of you think she would own such an old fashioned bike, with a basket no less!

Kimberly is a Young Adult Librarian.  She decided to become a librarian after working as a shelver at a library during high school.  She's a pretty cool librarian, and dreams up all sorts of great programs for her library.

She has one embarrassing flaw that I am going to divulge to all of you.  Are you ready?  This past summer, she attended not one, but two, Science Fiction Conventions!  I know what you are all thinking, but I promise we raised her better than that! We were good parents!  Our one consolation is that she doesn't dress up in costume at the conventions! 

In all seriousness, she is a great daughter and one of my closest friends.

Blog Picture

I have posted a picture on my blog.  You will notice that it is of my kids and not of me. If I have my way, you will never see a picture of me on my blog.  There is a reason I am always holding the camera!  

In future posts, I will be telling you a little about those four folks in the picture.  

I've Succumbed!

It's 12:47a.m. and I can't sleep.  So what do I decide to do? Create a blog! Sure, why not?  All of the other cool kids are doing it!  

Truthfully?  In the last few weeks I have really "gotten into" reading other people's blogs. I've read my daughter's Live Journal for years.  But I have recently discovered that lots of people I know have blogs.  And I love to read them!  So I decided I should be part of the fun!  

Right now, it's very rough.  I'm using one of their layouts - which I plan to change when I can figure out how to do it!  But it's a start!  **Edit** Since I wrote my first post, I have changed my layout.  It's still not finalized, but I like it.

I think that's enough for my first entry.  Maybe I'll try to go to bed.  If my mind won't shut down, I will be back to post entry #2!