Every Penny Adds Up

My change crock was finally so heavy I could barely move it to clean the carpets last week, so it got me thinking about cashing it in. I have also toyed with the idea of learning to play the mandolin, so when by chance I saw a music store in an old quilt shop location I thought it must be Karma. I had decided to buy a used mandolin with my change (Which to my delight was more than I needed at $430) I wouldn't feel as guilty making this purchase since its kind of like found money.

I sat down to take my first strum, and the owner said "is that how you plan to hold it?" Well yes, this feels natural to me. He took the mandolin out of my hand and said then you can't buy this one. I was perplexed, did he sense something about me that would not have taken care of this insturment....what could it be? Well, you're a southpaw and won't be able to play this F style mandolin. I have to have an A style wich doesn't have the curl (or pay the big bucks for a lefty F style that start at around $1,000) So we ordered a beginner's A style mandolin that he will re-string for me to play left handed. I guess once Allison Krauss or Sam Bush invite me to play with them I will consider an upgrade.

I may not be able to grasp this instrument, but its something that was on my bucket list to try and since I have some time for lessons and practice right now I decided to go for it. Nobody tell Dad though....my oldest nephew and I want to suprise him at Christmas with a fiddle/mandolin duo performance.

Sisters Weekend 2009

This year to save $$ we stayed at my house and "crafted" They worked on photos and scrapbooks for their kids and I quilted all day Saturday. A pedicure then dinner at Milners completed the day. Sunday we went to church with Go Postal which set us right in the middle of Yadkin's wine country. We had brunch at Century Kitchen then visited Sanders Ridge and Ragapple Lassie.



Middle sister had Monday off, so after a little bit of shopping we picked up Bull and headed over to eat lunch with Buddy. I think he enjoyed having such a big group at the special visitor's table with him.

This was our 6th year (I think) and we hope to keep this tradition going for a very very long time. We moved around a lot as kids, so I can honestly say these are my only two life long friends. Although I am the first to admit I wasn't always the best of friend as the oldest sister when we were little.......they reminded me of the Barbie doll hanging I staged for them one time.

Boone for the Weekend

Go Postal and I headed to Boone this weekend to catch an Appalachian State football game with his college roomates. Luckily the couple that has a cabin up there routed the game from the internet to their 52" flat screen because it poured rain most of Saturday. Sunday was nice and we got out and strolled some of the downtown shops and headed up to Howard's Knob a small park that looks back down on Boone. All three guys had Jeeps in college and spent a lot of their free time exploring the many roads and trails around the area. The leaves we just starting to show a hint of color and we enjoyed the break from working in the insullation and catching up with his old friends.

Looks like a bad idea!

2 Boys

Light sabres

on a Trampoline

Sure, why not.....Aunt Nane is babysitting and if I hadn't already showered for church, I would be out there with you.

I'll Make mine Blue

I picked up this pattern at a quilt shop in Estes Park Colorado. I loved all the stars and the snowmen are doing all kinds of winter sports...skiing, sledding etc. I haven't done a quilt like this before and think it will be fun. I think I will make mine in blue. There are several projects ahead of this one, but I can go ahead and have the patterns traced and have some hand work ready to go when I need a project to travel with.

Back Home

8 Days out West

4 National Parks

30 Hours Driving

Whole Wheat and I biking in Moab. This 9 mile trip took us to the border of Arches NP and gave us a taste of biking on the sandstone surface that makes this region famous.

Whole Wheat and Dairy Queen with me at Delicate Arch near Sundown. It was awesome, until the little mice come out to see what all the hikers have left behind at the end of the day.

My house in Casper where I spent 5 years between 4th and 9th grades. Our neighbors across the street still lived there...after 27 years she smiled when she saw me at her front door. My little buddy Gary grew up to be an electrical engineer and has a little boy that looks just like the one I remember playing hours of catch with!

Dad and Teen at the Tetons. She had never seen this park or Yellowstone! They even got to see a Grizzly on the way out. That is still on my bucket list, as I departed using the West Enterance and they went East. Fun time together!

My Mom's little brother...My Uncle Fred dancing with his daughter at her wedding. She looks a lot like our grandmother. She wasn't even born yet when we left Casper...now she is a nurse and married!

This week its now back to the job search and catching up on chores. Go Postal and I are also putting up insullation in the walls of the car barn this week.

Headed to Wyoming

I lived in Casper from the 4th grade though 9th grade. My Uncle Fred moved out there and found work at the coal fired power plant. His daughter is getting married this weekend and I booked all the travel plans for my Dad. At this last minute I decided ...why not cash in some frequent flyer points and join them. I haven't been to Casper in 30ish years, it will be another chance to visit one of my childhood homes and see some family that I rarely get to see. After the wedding we are headed to the Tetons and Yellowstone. From there I am not sure what I will find to do! I do think some quilt shops will be discovered.