Country By Design’s Neighborhood

*L*  I just noticed that the "Chihuly Toledo!" exhibit has been extended through February 3rd since the last time I'd checked the dates.  We're still going today though.  I have my heart set on a trip to the museum now.  :)

The challenges of the past few weeks are now history.  Mia has a reservation for boarding, we're ready for our trip to Ireland, work is caught up for the first time since I took that job years ago, our sewer and water main will be replaced while we're away, and my sister and I managed to actually surprise my mom with a 60th birthday party at my house last night.  Challenges are behind me, vacation is just ahead, and my house is squeaky clean.  Today I finally feel like myself for the first time in many months.  I can breathe ...and just sit, without guilt or anxiety or anything hanging over my head.

We're going to go to my house of worship today, the museum!  There are four totally awesome exhibits there right now that I've been really wanting to see, but something has always seemed more pressing.  By the time we get back from Ireland, the "Chihuly Toledo!" exhibit will have ended.  As a glass artist, I -will not- miss this exhibit, so that's really the only thing on my plan for the day so far.  We may or may not check out the other exhibits too.  They're all free (love our museum!!!), but the other three will also be running for a bit longer, so we'll have time to catch them on future visits.

The party last night was a smashing success.  My mom was genuinely surprised.  :)  My sister made a gorgeous and -delicious- cake.  It had Baileys in it, lots of chocolate flowers and tons of buttercream frosting....unf.  Everyone had a good time.  Craig talked radio with the uncles.  The kids were totally enchanted with the bunny, who, surprisingly, didn't seem to mind them too much.  Uncle Mats thought our potrack was brilliant (thanks, Deb & Brian!) and since we still had the other one from the set in the garage, we we able to send them home with one.  Everyone talked and talked and laughed and laughed.  Good times.

Many of you already know that I've been on an organizing kick here lately. While I was away in Chickasha, my family has gone off to Tulsa so I have the entire rest-of-the-weekend to myself. I plan to spend some quality time in my sewing room getting everything "just so". While I was at the Chickasha Show, I came up with some new ideas. The first one is this shelf, it hangs on the wall and it has grooves cut in it so that it holds all your rulers. The very nice ladies from Prairie Notions in Allen, Oklahoma had them for sale. Yes I bought one!

Prairie Notions Quilt Shop

Old Sewing Machine Drawers

Dresden Plate Pattern

Gail Bush

I've just returned from the Annual Quilt Show in Chickasha. This is a fun show that they have every year at the Grady County Fairgrounds. They have a craft show and a dog show going on at the same time and admission is free!

Chickasha Quilt Show

Chickasha Quilt Show

I can so many people with many types of talents, some people are good with what they love.

I know a friend that loves cooking more than anything, another friend who loves his computer.

I want to keep up with what I love to do if only I have more time.

ring by jewelry by S

It goes without saying....

Definite

I definitely disapprove....

~

Today, while we were walking, I was thinking of a comment  Apolline had left on my Missing Strangers post about social movements and urbanization.  We turned a corner and here was exactly what I had been imagining loneliness all together to look like:

IMG_8033

Trees take time to grow...

Still in the learning process of using time wisely.