Happy Anniversary to Us!!

Today is my "official" 29th anniversary with DH, Troy. Our marriage and anniversary celebrations is a cute story. When hubby and I were engaged, we planned to be married on Sept 17, 1983. We wanted to move into some newer apartments - both of us lived in one bedroom apts and needed to combine everything. There was a 6 month waiting list. The apartment management called and said they had an apartment available in July and could not guarantee they would have another in September. My parents do believe in people living together without being married. I wonder if they still feel that way? I'll have to ask! So, we had a very private ceremony on July 15, 1983 - just DH, me, a Justice of the Peace, his wife and about 8 baby raccoon that lived with them. My parents knew but no one else did. I bought a lace dress on sale and the baby raccoons seemed to love climbing it!

We had already paid for a lot of the church wedding we were planning in September and it was my husband's first marriage - not for me and a much longer story. So we decided to have the September wedding anyway. The preacher was fine with what we decided. Most of our family had no idea until a few years back we had done this. Results: we get to celebrate our marriage twice a year!

Twas Like Thunder . .

It's been a really good day! This was a day from 10 to 4 at the best quilt shop in the Richmond area - Jo Jo's Quilt Shop in Chesterfield VA. We started out with the Cotton Club block of the month.

We get the finishing kit next month! I'm so excited. I am almost up to date - should be at the end of the week.

Then we moved into Jo Morton's Group 11. We have the best leader - Mary Hickory. She is so talented and you can just tell she loves quilting and leading the group. We had a really good crowd - just a couple of the regulars missing - like Joy and Tammy (we missed you). The quilt due this time was Raspberry Swirl. Such a pretty quilt. But since the toes are still not ready to sew, I just made a hot pad. Oh well!

Then we moved into a sew day. I'm working on a baby quilt for a good friend at work who is having a grand baby. I am afraid the baby will be here before I'm done but I am making good process. There is hope! I'd post a picture but I don't want to spoil the surprise

I did get to leave my finished quilt for a wounded veteran. This is Merry Meyhem #134. It's my second one. I have not yet made one and kept it for myself so there is one more in the works!!

Anyway - thunder! WOW We had a LOT of rain and thunder while we were meeting. We need the rain and I LOVE LOVE LOVE thunder so I'm not fussing. I just knew chicken dog Maggie needs a lap when it thunders - it just terrifies her! So hubby had to have her in his lap. Nothing like an 85 pound lap dog!

Then it is the evening with DH - what a nice day!

CELEBRATION!!!!!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer just over five years ago. Today was a regular check with my oncologist - just the nicest doc - Dr. Gonzalez. He's been great. So during chemo and while on tamoxifen, I developed a blood clot. I haven't gone more than 6-8 weeks without seeing someone to check blood thinness, etc in 5 years. Today, I got the go ahead to stop tamoxifen and coumadin in October and I don't' have to see a doctor for the rest of this year!!! GOD IS GREAT!!!

Killer Hobbies Blogspot

I wanted to do a quick post about a website I found. It is 6 authors posting to this blog. Here's a quote from their website" We are six mystery writers who are dying to discuss the hobbies and interests that drove us to murder." They write mystery books and include hobbies in them. Some of the names are "Scrapped", "Death Drops: A Natural Remedies Mystery", "The More The Terrier", and "Paper, Scissors, Death". You should not only check out the website but read the books!

Catching up - Trip to Lancaster County

I didn't realize I'd been gone so long! It's been a bit busy. I'll do better, I hope. The trip to Lancaster County with my friends, Deanna and Mary was wonderful! We found too much fabric - well, yes, I realize that is not even possible. I think we made it to 14 quilt shops in 2 days. That was quite a feat considering we had a 4.5 hour drive to even get there. We planned and planned and planned and did a good job! We didn't strictly stick to the plan because you can't miss that shop you never knew was there! I think this are the ones we hit - Wilson's in Maryland, Traditions of the White Swan in Maryland, Sew 'N Place - not sure if it was in Maryland or Pennsylvania, Burkholder's - my favorite quilt shop in Lancaster County, Zook's, Sylvia's, Log Cabin, The Old Country Store . . . Well - I went blank. I can't remember them all. And there were a couple that we just forgot the name as soon as we left. We found a wonderful covered bridge because we took a wrong turn. Isn't it true that you find the best things when you don't mean to? I always thank God for those little treasures you would never have seen otherwise.

The "bones" of the bridge were just wonderful! This bridge is over the Conestoga River

We had a wonderful time. The Jo Morton exhibit at The Old Country Store was just beautiful! Her quilts were so flat and perfect. Here are a couple of those pictures.

And it just wouldn't be right if I didn't mention the soft pretzel place next to Zook's fabrics. I don't know the name of it but the pretzels were off the hook! Absolutely wonderful and I will have to go back there again! More postings later!