The Kid in the Stands

I just had to post a quick note about the kid in the stands yesterday at the ballgame. It was the Texas Rangers vs. the Boston Red Sox. Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton is up at bat. He hits a foul ball into the upper deck stands and this kid -- C.J. who looks to be about 10 years old -- catches it with his glove! Everyone clapped and was happy for him. The crowd loves to see someone catch a foul ball, but when a kid does it, it's especially great.

Same at bat, next ball thrown, Hamilton hit another foul ball into the same area. The same kid, C.J. catches the ball again! Amazing! The crowd gave him a standing ovation! He was named "Fan of the Game" and given some goodies, including a gold glove trophy! I had so much fun watching all of that on TV! I couldn't have been happier for anyone. C.J. will never forget that game. I may not either. Way to go C.J., I hope you were able to sleep last night!

Miniature Quilt Update

I really haven't been sewing or quilting much lately. Seems like years since I've done either on a daily basis and today, I realized that I kind of miss it. I went into Dallas for a miniature quilt "class". It's really more of a "sit and sew" session with ladies who have grown to be good friends. When I joined the group, we were about to embark on the Dear Jane quilt, making blocks each month when we got together. I've started it and only made one or two blocks so far. I keep changing my mind on the color scheme for the quilt. Should it be Christmas colors? I've always wanted a Christmas quilt. Or maybe 30's reproductions or Civil war reproductions (the original was made during the Civil war) or maybe I should do it with batiks. Ugh! I started it in Christmas fabrics and now may change to batiks or I may ditch the project all together. I could always turn the blocks I've made into a mini for the Quilter's Guild of Dallas Quilt Celebration miniature auction in March. Whatever I do, I'll post photos of it. Anyway, I finally drifted on to work on other projects during that time.

This month, I worked on my Stormy Weather pineapple mini. I'm hand quilting it. Since I've only quilted during those classes for the last two months, I have no idea how long it will end up taking me to complete. When I do, I'll post a photo. Come to think of it, if I actually sew this weekend, I'll post a photo of that too.

Photo of the week 19 of 39 -- Fire or Flame

This is a photo of the dead fall burning from our yard work a couple of weeks or so ago. I've always loved the smell of wood burning. Too bad we didn't have some Hershey's chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers. That might have made the work "S'more" fun.

Next week's theme is "On My Table".

Ice Cream

This is my favorite "summer" ice cream. Blue Bell's Banana Pudding is wonderful and it's seasonal so it can only be found in the summer! Tastes exactly like banana pudding. It's good with chocolate sauce on it too. Fortunately, I'm not truly addicted to ice cream. As you've probably noticed from my photos, I'm not exactly thin, so I try to hold the ice cream to a minimum. I purchase only one 1/2 gallon of the Banana Pudding ice cream a year. If I could find it in a smaller container, I'd get that instead.

During the holidays, I like Braums Peppermint ice cream. I can usually get by with a couple of scoops, but it just isn't the holidays without my peppermint ice cream. I don't start wanting it until after Thanksgiving and I have it before Christmas rolls around. That's the only time of year I ever want it. I recently discovered that Braums carries their Peppermint ice cream year round. Didn't do a thing for me. I don't want it until Thanksgiving has left us behind.

The rest of the year, if I happen to need a bite of ice cream, I like chocolate of various degrees and Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey.

Lack of Sleep

I haven't been sleeping well lately. I don't know what the problem is. I looked slightly deranged this morning when I dragged myself out of bed, feeling as if I hadn't slept more than a couple of hours. Thought I'd share my look with you, even though gravity had calmed my hair considerably by the time the photo was taken. It may be the only photo of myself that I actually like. I wonder what that says about me?

Katie update

I thought you might be wondering how our Katie girl is adjusting. She's quite at home now. She and Barkley truly seem to enjoy each other's company. They play and run together all day long. She has found at least one way out of the fenced yard, which worries me because we have recently discovered that there are wild hogs in the area now! I'm actually more worried about the hogs than the highway. Fortunately, she doesn't get out often and she comes back quickly when called. She no longer has accidents in the house, but she still tends to chew things left within reach. We're working on it.

When she first arrived here, Katie was pretty quiet. Now, she barks when she hears or sees something unusual going on. Last night, she was barking and seemed to be protecting me too. I think it was actually the reflections on the darkened windows that got her all upset, but it could have been some animal that she could hear and we couldn't. Everywhere I went, she followed. Standing very near me, looking toward the window barking. It was a nice sign of things to come. I love a friendly dog who is protective when it needs to be, but not one you need to worry about being aggressive. I believe she's going to be that kind.

Now, she was a bit overwhelmed when my grandchildren first showed up. Our house if pretty quiet usually and when you add 5 new people to it -- three of them being excited children who have been cooped up in a car for almost 24 hours, it can get loud quickly. My house, being made of cedar logs, can also really vibrate with noise when there is some. It kind of bounces around in here before it figures out what to do with itself. Katie did not like that one bit. I held her collar and talked to her while hubby explained that she was nervous and why to the children. The kids quieted and slowly approached. Before long, they were all playing together.

I have yet to get a photo I like of Katie. I'm still trying and she doesn't seem to like the camera. She reminds me of my granddaughter number 2, always turning her head or running away as soon as she hears it come on. In this shot, she's trying to take a little snooze on the bed, where she is not supposed to be.

Photo of the week 18 of 39 -- Crossroads

When I saw the theme "Crossroads" come up, I knew exactly what I wanted to photograph. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a population sign for the little town nearby. In my effort to find the sign, I went through the town and took several shots at the local high school. Looks like school will start back up on the 24th.

Next week's theme is "fire of flame".

Heart and things like them

My son and his family left for home this morning. It always makes me so sad when they leave because we see each other so seldom. We had an especially good visit this time, which is kind of a double edged sword. It makes it even more difficult to say goodbye. I love my grandchildren. I have special relationships with each of them, but granddaughter number one and I have had a special bond since she was born. When she was smaller, I used to ask her not to cry when one of us was leaving the other so that I wouldn't cry too. She was always so brave and never cried in front of me. This morning, just before they were about to leave she told me she wanted to live with me. Just about broke my heart. So, of course when they were pulling out of the drive way, I'm wiping away tears. I'm pretty sure it's the first time I've broken our rule.

Over their visit, we found two heart shaped things to photograph. One is a rock that granddaughter number one found in our yard. She took it home with her. Of all the rocks she collected, that is the only one she kept. The other photo was taken while we waited in line at the Dallas World Aquarium. It's the leaves of a redbud tree. I had promised Pam I would take a photo of them ages ago and forgotten until I saw them there. This one's for you Pam.

Roller Skating at the Rink

The kids have had plastic roller skates, but never been roller skating with real roller skates at a real roller skating rink before yesterday. I had promised them when I was in CA over their spring break that we would go and, to be honest, I was getting a little worried about keeping that promise this trip. It's really hard to get everything in that you want to do with them when you are sharing time with the other set of grandparents. We had tried to do it on Monday only to find out that the rink was closed on Mondays. Thankfully, their parents extended their stay by a day or we would not have made it.

Granddaughter number one took to skating like a fish takes to water. She fell a lot, but didn't let that bother her at all! She got back up and just took off. She was out in the middle in no time at all. Granddaughter number two took a little more time to feel at ease. Dad knew just how to help her. Once she felt more comfortable, she was back on the floor skating the edge and soon around the whole rink! Both girls loved skating and have asked if we can go again when they come back. Grandson loved playing the games too.

Dallas World Aquarium

Last Saturday, my son and I took the granddaughters to the Dallas World Aquarium. Here are a few of the things we saw. Most of the photos we took didn't turn out well. There were a lot of people there. Granddaughter number one wanted to take photos, but was having trouble with the glass, even with the flash off. She did take a great shot of the spotted stingray. Don't know the proper name of it. Granddaughter number two took the great shot of the octopus. I never could get the shot I wanted of the manatee.