Sisters Are SOOOO Much Better Than Calgon!

Is there anything more perfect than picking up the phone and saying, "I want to go to the coast May 27th through the 29th" and hearing "Ok, let's go!" I really don't think there is. And I barely gave them a weeks notice. In Gina's case, all I really have to say is wake up, we're going somewhere, and she stumbles to the car. Gia takes a day or two to rearrange her busy schedule. I need a schedule.

So Gia picked me up Wednesday morning and we zoomed over to get Gina and headed south. It pretty much rained on us the entire way there. I kept thinking we would drive out of it. But it was even raining on the coast. We got there around 4, unloaded our stuff at our home for the next 3 days and headed to the beer joint on the beach. After all, that's what we were there for! We ate a bite and had a few beers...and found out that Gina doesn't like water in her beer. Go figure. The rain stopped and cleared off while we sat in the bar with the locals. So we headed back to the pool and the huge bottle of margaritas that Gia brought. Gina had more beer, Gia had a margarita and I think I had the rest.

The next morning I woke up as Gia was going out the door. There was nothing in the room to tell me what time it was so I got up and dressed and headed to the beach. And left this one enjoying what she loves best about a vacation. Don't we all?

It was still cloudy. I didn't realize until I got to the beach that the sun was just coming up. So I spread my towel and had a seat to enjoy the show. And it was beautiful. The wind was high making the waves high too.

The birds put on a show too. This ones a butt poker. Hes a lot bigger than the gulls.

Later in the day someone told us about the wildlife preserve/bird sanctuary that was there in Port Aransas. As many times as we have been there, we didn't know about it. And Gia does love the wildlife so we HAD to go see.
It can kind of make you take a step back when this sign is the first thing you see. Supposedly there is only one. We didn't see him so I will just take their word for it.

We watched the crabs dance around and mate.

Watched the turtle sunbathing and defending her spot.

Watched the birds pole sit. No dancing involved.

Made the sun beauties pose.

After seeing all the critters we could stand, we headed back to the pool. They were out there for hours, as in long enough to get crispy. Me, I laid in the room for a while then did some local art shop browsing. Came in to hungry girls. Of course I was named to fix supper. No problem. I got the meat out and put it in a skillet and got butted out. That little six foot kitchen isn't room enough for our three butts, so mine found a chair to supervise from.

Later on we headed for a short sit at the beach. And watched Gia in the running of the gulls. I refuse to take her to Spain. Gulls is all she gets.

And of course on Thursday morning, on our way out of town...

The Three G's On The Beach!

And Yet I Still Wake Up Every Day...

Its been 5 years.

5 of her birthdays that I have missed with her.

5 of everything that I have missed with her.

This really sucks.

Everything about it really sucks.

Right now, today, at this particular minute...

I can not tell you one single good thing that has come from her dying.

Not one.

Not even a fracture of one.

I know there is something.

Ive made the list before.

Ive told everyone before.

Ive told myself before.

But right now... I cant think of anything.

All I know is it hurts like it just happened today.

5 years, it shouldn't still hurt like this.

I shouldn't have to be going through this.

She is the one that told me to "Do what ever the doctors say. Take care of yourself. I cant live in this world without you in it".

And it sucks to remember that conversation.

Why wasn't it me?

Why do I have to live in this world without her?

She was SO MUCH MORE than me.

She was so much better than me.

More loving.

More giving.

More patient.

More wise.

More everything.

Nothing can make this better.

Will it ever get better?

Happy Birthday Sally

I miss you more than words could ever say.

Girlfriends 2009 - Another One For The Books!

Well, we did it again. Another wonderfully successful party. I am humbled, once again, at every ones generosity. I always feel like I never say enough thank yous to everyone. I even had a speech planned this year, with a list attached and everything. So I wouldn't miss anyone this year. The speech never got made.

The whole night is such a whirlwind that I am not even sure that I breath during it. I swear if it wasn't for appointed drill Sargent Gia, I wouldn't even remember to put my drawers on! Oh, what a party that would be!

And what everyone wants to know first...Ellen from Taylor won the beautiful quilt. So sorry it wasn't you. But I couldn't have asked for a more excited scream when I called out her name. Its so much more fun when the winner is present. Just look at that happy smile. I know, you would have smiled too. But get over it, you didn't win. Maybe next year you will buy more tickets.
And Zeta got to visit with her best friend Wanda who came all the way from Bremond.
Just look at them line up for the margaritas. I spent the night looking for mine, as usual. I always set it down to hug cause its not nice to pour it down the back of a new girlfriend. Then I cant find it again. I swear someone was hiding it from me.
And what is a party without pole dancing? Very boring, that's what. And if its something we do not have is a boring party. I'm not going to tell you her dancer name.
But the "who came the farthest" award goes to my best girlfriend Sharon. All the way from St Louis MO. Just for me. I love her!
Of course the best dressed award goes to (drum roll here) Tike! Looking especially beautiful in her teal and hot pink summer frock. She does love to party.
Just look at how stuffed that tumbler was!!! That means bucks folks!
And the bucks are for the scholarship winner Jessie (on the right). She is very grateful for any help at all. Working full time and taking a full course load and being mom to Bailey. Congratulations and the very best of wishes to you Jessie!We did manage to keep Zeta sober most of the night. I actually don't think she even knows what a beer tastes like. But this picture was fun to pull off. Here mom, hold this for a minute...Click!
And the star of the night...Mary Charlotte Young. Totally awesome! Everyone loved her.
And they partied into the night.
And I have to thank you all once again. For your love, prayers and support. For your unwavering friendship. For your lifting me up and holding me up when I sink. For your constant encouragement.
Mom thank you for instilling in me the goodness to want to do this and help others. For quilting your little fingers to the bone. For all you do.
Gina and Gia...thank you for everything. Without the both of you, this would never happen. You are always there for me, no matter what kind of crazy thing I come up with next. You are always right there in the middle of it all. Cheering and pushing me on. Making it all happen. My dreams, and YOU make it happen. Thank you...I love you.

Are YOU My Mommy???

Ok, just a little break from girlfriend stuff. Because this is important stuff. Really, really, really important stuff. I wouldn't take a break in girlfriend stuff for just anything, you know. It would have to be important, because girlfriend stuff is totally the most important stuff around.

So yesterday...I became a GRANDMA! See, I told you it was important! Don't ever doubt me again!

And I was really surprised too because I wasn't expecting it for another couple of weeks. Its a long story, and I don't want to do a really long blog right now. I just want to get to the pictures. Because they are great.

Meet...cute, little, I don't-know-what-his-name-is! "HELLO! Are YOU my mommy?" "No, I'm your wonderful loving Grandma."This was the first time I ever saw little I don't-know-what-his-name-is. His mamas jumped out of the nest to eat, and there he was, peeking out at me. I was in love. Aren't you?
And today after work, I came home to find...little I don't-know-what-his-name-is, UNDER the nest. Cheeping his little wet, cold heart out.
Grandma to the rescue!
"Oh, thank you Grandma!" "You saved me!" "I love you Grandma!" "Let me sing to you Grandma!" He likes to call me Grandma, I could tell.
I just can't bring myself to tell little I-don't-know-what-his-name-is that I am really suspecting that THIS is his mommy.
And I don't want him to know right now because she is not a very good mommy. In fact she laid his little egg and just went off and left him like he was a...a...a egg or something. She didn't even consider sitting on him to keep him warm enough for him to hatch or anything. She left him! Unwanted, to be hatched and raised in a CULT! A cult of 3 mommies and 2 daddies, and lots of fuzzy, frilly, floozies, that just run around cavorting with the daddies. And because I am a wonderful, loving Grandma, I put the daddies and the floozies off in another pen! Now the 3 good, sweet, loving mommies can hatch and raise all the little babies in a happy chicken pen home.

You're welcome cute little I-know-what-his-name-is. I love you too!








T

Oh Lord, WHAT am I thinking???

I am having a party here in 10... that's ten days! Count them, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10! And I am working all day today so that really makes 9. And I have to work on Monday so that makes 8. And one day I have to grocery shop and prepare food so that makes 7. I have one day of quilting to do which makes it only 6. And one day of sewing leaves only 5. And John has promised me a day away tomorrow to see if I can find some of my sanity somewhere along the bluebonnet covered highways to Brenham, leaving me with 4 days to see if I can turn this totally crappy junk pile into a beautiful party worthy yard. Lord give me strength! And some muscle relaxers and strong pain relief. A few pre-party margaritas wont hurt anything either.

Luckily, I had Gina and Gia a couple days last week and the back is looking pretty good. All the flower beds are moved and and reset. We have a lot more room this year than before. But I also have a lot of uneven ground to work on. Its going to take several wheelbarrows of dirt to fill in some of the holes where the flower bed rocks use to be. And gophers. And moles. And tree stumps. And of course we had the several inches of rain after all our work, to settle stuff and really pack in what we had done. But my flowers and what little grass is there is really happy now. I am hoping that the taking out of some trees back there will allow for some sunshine into our world (yes, along with the heat!) and we can give the grass a fighting chance now.

So on Friday, its time to pull out the gloves, the weed eater, the shovels, rakes and hoes, the wheelbarrow, and the truss. And put my butt to work!





And the one thing we will have this year that we didn't have last year...

A FIRE PIT!!!

And for all who are wondering, Zeta the wonder quilter, has ONE row left on the big quilt! I know, I don't believe it either!

And after the yard comes the...
*setting up tables and chairs
*fixing a place for the singer
*try out margarita recipe
*hanging thousands of white christmas lights
*putting together all the silent auction items
*try strawberry margaritas
*put together 50 gift bags
* recheck bags the next day
*try mexican martinis
*setting up the quilt racks and raffle table
*food prep
*ice chest and lots of ice
*make jello shots
*hang the banners
*try jello shots and adjust vodka
*put some hair on and set up the big girlfriends
*try more jello shots
*redo girlfriends hair the next day
*maybe lessen vodka a bit
* spray for wasps and mosquito's before trying new jello shots
*hang candles not husband
*get nails done
*take a nap

Quilt is IN THE FRAME!!!

FINALLY!!! This top really kicked my butt! Every possible little screw up I could have made...I did! The worst being cutting some half squares a half inch too small. That will not work no matter how you try to stretch it. I probably would have just bought more of that material, re cut, and started over with it. But...I sewed all those sections together before I realized they didn't fit with the other sections. Yes, I cussed, a lot, loud, and for a long time. In fact, I can still let out a string of color just thinking about it. I worked 4 solid days from the time I got up to the time I collapsed into bed. And all I could see, was a wasted day and fabric. So I did what I do when I get frustrated...

I should have stopped there. Oh well, I like hats.

Ok, so back to the quilt. This is the process. Not rocket science, but it's big, bulky and takes time. This is moms sewing room. Her quilt frame hangs from the ceiling by ropes. It can be rolled up to be out of the way or down to work on. Here we have the lining pinned in the frame and the batting all smooth and ready to go. Yes, that's a Christmas tree...don't ask, she likes it.

Then we stretch the top on it and pin, pin, pin, pin, pin...It has to be tight.

Then you give Zeta a needle and some thread and step back out of her way!

Look at old chicken claw GO!

Then up down up down up down ip pull, up down up down up pull, up down up down up pull...and there you have it! A quilted quilt! Now wasn't that easy?

Its just about to tickled her pink!

So there you have it. Now why doesn't every wman have a quilt frame in her house? Why isn't every woman sitting around quilting all day? I don't know either! Mom has people all the time ask her to teach them how to quilt. She can't wait for someone to actually show up to learn. So go on over there and she will sit you down and poke a needle at you. Before you know it, you will be able to say "Why yes, I have hand quilted before! With a professional! Because I was taught by the very best! And I actually stitched on the 2009 Celebrate Your Girlfriends quilt that they raffled off and made thousands of dollars for the scholarship fund!"

Want your chance to win this beautiful quilt??? Of course you do! Contact me for tickets, or Gina or Zeta or Gia, or any woman who is lucky enough to have been at a Girlfriends party with us and we can tell you how! We can also give you directions to the party this year. May 2! Mary Charlotte Young will be strummin and singin her little heart out. And I promise to keep the margarita jug FULL!