Better

The bridge between Metropolis, IL and Paducah, KY

Today is a better day. Yesterday wasn't so bad either. I didn't find a needle. But to be honest I didn't go looking very hard either. Maybe later in the week.

I did however start sewing on a quilt kit my mom got me at Hancock's of Paducah. Have you ever been there? It is fabric overload. Thousands of bolts of fabric...moda, alexander, butler....you name it.

The first time I went there was during AQS show several years ago. I was on overload looking at all of those quilts and then the vendors. Quilting nirvana. I remember going home (to the camper) at the end of the day and petting all of my fabric purchases wishing that I had my machine with me.

So that means today is another sewing day, if I can get the boys to cooperate.

Ohh and I overheard this yesterday...
S: What are you doing?
I: Looking at this moth?
S:Hmm, it's a big one.
I: slam
S: What'd you do that for?
I: Moth's are not good for fiber. We live in a fiber house.
S: Oh...but we are outside.

Not happy

Broken #2 40" bamboo needle

I'm not happy at the moment. This morning I found the ONLY needle that I have to work on my barn raising squares hid under the couch. When I asked where it was I received a noncommittal "I don't know". When I found it and asked what happened, I got the same answer.

A little later, Simon needed my help with something and I asked again. The answer this time was "I don't want to talk about it". Ahhh, avoidance.

Needless to say I will be calling around today to see if I can find this needle ANYWHERE in the greater Madison area. I am on a roll people. I am half way there. I have 21 squares done and 21 to go! I really want to finish this project....

City Museum

The last of the vacation pictures - I promise - for a while any way....

If you happen to be in St. Louis and have children under the age of 12 - well I take that back, there were people there of all ages, but younger kids would probably enjoy this the most, go to City Museum. It is well worth the price of admission. We had a blast on the slides and enjoyed the sculptures. The place was created with tunnels and mazes and climbing areas. It really is a place to be experienced. Pay the extra for the roof, it's worth it.

The Arch

Honestly....

I haven't been here because I didn't have the vacation pictures off of the camera. Really. I made a deal with myself that I wouldn't blog until I got the pics off the camera, so I stayed off the computer (pretty much) until this weekend.

So what have we been up to? We went to Springfield, IL, Hannibal, St. Louis and Paducah, KY with my parents. It was a fun trip. We went to the Arch, Grant's Farm, the Zoo, home of Superman (Metropolis, IL), and much more. We had a really good time - the only bad thing was the humidity - yuck! We were lucky to have an air conditioner.

Just for Luck

Painting the Fence

Being Silly

Mark Twain Memorial Bridge

I did it!

This morning I got my white belt in karate. Learning karate was on my bucket list. I think I even put on the list that I wanted to get a black belt - we'll see about that! I'm really glad that I started. The boys have been going for a little over a year now. When I started total fitness in the spring, I think it was inevitable that I would start karate.

It is a process. A process where I am learning to do something new, making connections with my body, brain, and spirit.

I like it. Actually, I like it a lot. It is a 30 to 45 minute period several times a week where I can only focus on what I am doing in the moment. I can't think about family, bills, school, the boys......... the list goes on OR I can't do the movements. After wards, ahhhh.