Miss P came to visit!

It's official - we live here. Miss P came to visit us and it is a LONG way from Portland with a 3 yr old in the car - no matter how good she is!! It's 2010 - why don't we have teleportation as promised!! Oh, they decided to develop the internet instead!?! LOL!

Our first stop on our way to our house was the Prehistoric Gardens by Port Orford. Very low-tech but the dinosaurs are recreated as big as their skeletons - and let me tell you - some of them were very BIG! Miss P loved it.

Once we got home first matter of business was to inspect the bed and night-light situation! Then, inventory the toy basket, make sure everything moved with us. Then the small binoculars came out - didn't really get the idea that we could look outside with them. But she really kept her eyes on Nana!!

We made waffles for dinner that night and Nana got the night off - cause Papa had a new sous chef.

We went down to the beach and discovered the crescent beach we can get to in 'other than low tides' is interesting enough - no need to worry about tide tables! The last scramble over the rocks was hard though on little legs. So later that day we drove to Lone Ranch for a walk on the beach. Easy access and Miss P brought along the "Oregon Ducks whistle" or rather duck call. Very entertaining.

There's a certain march we all had to do whilst following our leader! Each night before bedtime we watched movies ["Up" and "Bolt"] and ate cake and ice cream for bedtime snacks. Is there any doubt why grandchildren need to come and visit???

After just one full day and two nights here we took off for the aquarium where met L&J and Mr M - who had never been to the aquarium before. He loved it just like Miss P does!! It was fun to watch him toddle around trying to see everything at once.

On our way back home - we stopped in Gold Beach in our never-ending quest for good pizza - and we hit the mother lode!! Yes, for the first time in Oregon, we liked the pizza at Panther's Den. We're definitely going back there for more! And a beautiful drive of just 25 miles up the coast to get there!

It started out foggy today - but WOW!

I just had to take a picture of the view today. It's not foggy now! There has been a group [club or pod officially] of seals fishing our bay today.

I first noticed a flock of seagulls diving toward the water. Then I got the binoculars out and there were at least 4 seals there.

They've been up and down the bay - so much fun to watch. Needless to say, I haven't gotten as much done as planned today!! But, what the heck - this is why I'm retired!! Enjoy the weekend!

The sun ... the sun .... it's in the sky again!!!

The sun has come out for days on end! Okay, it gets dark at night, but sunny days in a row!! It's a miracle! Now granted - it hasn't been sunny for more days than it wasn't ... but it sure feels good!

Our couch and chair were delivered on Saturday! So no more wicker deck chairs for watching tv and oh, my, so much more comfortable! It's starting to feel like a home! I'm still trying to crowbar everything into the sewing room! And I've machine quilted the ABC quilt around the blocks and sashes. I decided to hand quilt around the letters - my free motion quilting really isn't up to following the design I had in mind. I'll have to practice with something a little busier - too much white space on the ABC quilt. I've got much more to do with the house - especially the sewing room - in fact, I should be doing it now - not fooling around on the computer. But what the hey! or is it 'what the hay! LOL! I can sit and see the view while on the computer and it's blue out there!!

The watermelon quilt is done-done and handed in for the Newport Guild Silent Auction. Turned out cute - knew it would because I'd made one just like it back in March! But a relief to have it done.

Have you seen that commercial [Hallmark I think] that the daughters discover their dad has been saving every card they gave to him ... well, the men I know don't care much about cards. It would have worked with moms --- anyone have a male in their life that saves cards or even doesn't grouse about the cost of them??? Inquiring minds want to know!

We've been having very civilized low tides. Not before the crack of dawn ... so we've been walking the beach every morning. Had an encounter with an otter - not sure who was more surprised!! I saw him walking up the beach from the surf so I stood still and watched. He crept around a rock and next I saw him peeking around the rock at me like a cat would! Yep, I was still there - so off he ran, back to the surf. FUN!

I know I promised pictures - but I found myself NOT blogging because I don't want to take the pictures! I guess there are some things I want done before the pictures. I figured a blog entry without pictures is better than no entry until the pictures!

Next week Miss P comes home with us for 2 days - then her mom follows. I'll be taking pictures of that cutie - so it shouldn't be long before you see the place. Until then!

'Winter' weather continues here!

Last week we had 2 blue sky days, 1 grey sky days and 4 days of monsoons!! We got 5 inches of rain in 2 days!! Unusual weather for June - or so we think!! Probably only because we're here! And it IS a small condo with a golfer stuck inside! On the 3rd day of monsoon, DH turned and asked, "and why did you drag me here???" LOL!

Today I gave up and went to the grocery store to buy supplies for soups! If that doesn't bring the good weather - nothing will!

Having my sewing machine set up all the time has been so much fun! Since I haven't had a dedicated sewing space for 2+ years ... I'd forgotten the joy of 'popping in' and sewing for a few minutes. Someone on Stashbusters suggested that at the end of your sewing time, however short, you quickly set up for the next session. Amazing tip! You're actually anxious to get back in there because you know that within a minute or two, you'll be whizzing along!

I'm ready to bind the (2nd) watermelon wall quilt, this one is for the Newport Guild Show Silent Auction in August. I'm hoping to hand it in Thursday when I'm there for the June meeting. But I have to find the green binding I 'put somewhere safe' Lord, help me!

Next up - or should I say - still up - the alphabet quilt from the ABC back to school exchange I hosted last year. I can't find the fabric I'd like to use to enlarge the back. Then of course, there's the problem of a dry space outside to spray baste ... BUT if I can find both the fabric and the green binding today - I'll be doing a happy dance for sure!

I went to water aerobics this week - in an outdoor pool for the first time. The weather has been so rotten, and water aerobics is at 8 am - there's only been one day it wasn't pouring at 8 am. I'm glad to report that the water was warm; and the teacher was a young man with an exercise science degree and he worked all muscle masses. Not bad at all. Hoping for clear mornings the next two days - so I can do it again before heading back up to Newport for a few days.

Off to the sewing room, to see what I can find! Sorry for the lack of pictures lately - hopefully next week. Haven't got my desktop computer set up and storage space is beginning to be an issue on this laptop ... I know, excuses, excuses!! But at least I feel guilty about it!!

No more excuses! We're H*E*R*E!!

As of yesterday, we are official residents of Brookings Oregon. The last month was a blur of cleaning, sorting, packing, hauling and unpacking. Hard work - we may be too old for this!! And for sure we have too much stuff - and I'm even talking about quilting stuff too!

We showed up at the Goodwill drop-off so much that the gal started saving good boxes for me! Now that's a full service charity!!

A week ago - we loaded the truck and moved the furniture. We had our DSIL come down from Portland to help us load and our son from Ashland come to help unload. Unloading was harder - we had to carry everything up to the second floor. And the old folks were wearing out by then - as DS said, "That's okay - this is only the first time I've moved this today!" Got it all crammed into the condo and the garage. Slept overnight and then took off for Ashland with the couch and chair we were giving to DS. Thus started the grand tour week!

You think you were ignored, we hadn't even seen the grandkids for 4 weeks! We needed some serious 'hug-pats'. So stayed in Ashland overnight with A&J2 and then drove up to Portland to L&Js for 2 days and 3 nights of no sleep! Mr M has a bad cough and is sleeping even less than usual! We had lots of fun playing and watching 'The Princess and the Frog' which is Miss P's favorite now. We also took time out to go find a few things we needed at the new condo; we saw Ironman 2 and ate at a favorite Italian restaurant.

Then off to Newport to clean and finish packing all the last minute supplies at the condo. Mr Clean Magic Eraser - if you don't have them - get them!!! That's all I have to say! We also watched alot of favorite tv shows on DVR - before we turned in our cable box! Would you believe the landlord said he'd never seen the condo left that clean and gave us back our full deposit! Hip hip hooray! Great drive down the coast to the new digs. Unloaded both cars - and fell into bed!

This morning woke up with a headache and it was all overwhelming. Boxes everywhere. DH pitched in and we got the kitchen all stashed away. Then all the clothes and linens ... now I'm in good shape except for the sewing space. Oh well, it will come!

You all know I belong to Stashbusters online. Now I told those girls to slow down with the UFO finishes - there's 79 of us in the challenge. I finished A&J2's wedding quilt in March and here I am at the top of the list already!! Yep, you may refer to me as Queen Doni this week! I've belonged to SBs for 5-6 years and have never been Queen before. As queen you have to finish an UFO during your reign [a week] or pay up a FQ! I may have to pay the penalty. We'll see! I am making the most of my queenly-ness! I may not have time to sew, but I have time to type! So they are getting daily royal decrees! I told my DH that I had to use the computer because I was queen of the UFOs. And I heard him mutter, "I'll say!" What! Off with his head!! LOL!

I'm back - and should be able to have weekly posts again. See you soon.

News from the moving front!

First let me tell you if you have a chance to see a Cirque du Soleil performance - run to it!! I know they are expensive - BUT it was worth every penny!! Kooza was a hoot! And it was so much fun to go to it with my daughter - who is an expert on Cirque. The four of us [DD, DSIL, DH and me] sat mesmerized for the whole show! The grandkids are too young yet - but I can see they will be coming with us when elementary school age!

Then I was able to go right to our Bayshore Quilt Retreat in Bandon. The rest of the gals gathered on Sunday night - I joined them Monday morning and apparently brought the rain with me! It rained the next 3 days! I pieced together my Alphabet block exchange quilt into a top. It needs to be done by August for the show. And since I ran the exchange I think mine better be in there! Then worked all day on my quilted sweatshirt - it looked so easy - but I found out it's time consuming! It's supposed to be done by May meeting - but I still have to fit it and sew the final seams and 'bind' it. Tick tock, tick tock! The retreat was so much fun and we got alot of sewing done and lots of laughing and way too much 'eating of chocolate!' LOL!

Wednesday, when I got home from retreat I actually fell asleep at 6 pm! I woke up after the news and read for a couple of hours, but then slept thru the night. R got back up to Newport Thursday night and we decided to follow the good weather and turn around with 2 more carloads headed to Brookings Friday! Another trip like that and we may have 1/2 our stuff here!

It was misting here Saturday morning when we were unloading the cars. But it cleared up to be a gorgeous day. I worked most of the day - I've gotten all the non-sewing room boxes emptied and stashed. Whether I'll be able to find stuff without looking thru EVERYTHING remains to be seen. We brought our second bookcase this trip so - was able to unpack those boxes. I even sat out on the deck with a "Coastal Living" magazine in the afternoon! Beautiful blue ocean as far as you could see!

Last night I had the best hamburger I'd had in a very long time! We went up to Whaleshead to watch the spout in a sea stack there. It was the first rock spout I ever spotted back on our first visit to the Oregon coast and hence - one of my favorites! After the cool breeze chased us to dinner we went to the Whaleshead Restaurant and I got the only seat in the house with a view of the spout!!! On top of that ... it was a great hamburger with 6 pickle slices!! Bacon, cheese and homemade bun!! Just what I was craving!! R said the fish and chips were excellent too - so we have a second hangout! Our first has to be Ponchos Mexican - also discovered on our first trip!

I have my little Featherweight sewing machine here so I just may do a little piecing while Rick is playing golf today. We head back north tomorrow for haircuts and appointments.

Back home - Newport and Brookings

I'm back from Nebraska and I had a marvelous time. Lots of time spent with my mom and sister and her whole family. Between Easter, mom's birthday and baby's christening ... we saw alot of each other! It's so much fun getting caught up with everyone's lives. It's really hard to keep track of 20 some relatives long distance! The great nieces and nephews are growing, the new great-great nephew is adorable; the older ones are matriculating and everyone I saw is doing great.

All the 'girls' went out for a manicure/pedicure for mom's birthday. What a blast that was! Then perfume shopping for mom. We smelled dozens of perfumes. Did you know you smell coffee beans inbetween to clear your nose??? 6 of us taking turns sniffing up the samples! Mom ended up with "Armani Mania"! Tres Chic! And because she and my great niece were so cute [ 92 and 5 yrs old] they both got freebie bags! Mom ended up with Queen Lativa's gold lame bag - I think it's big enough for mom and her dog to fit inside!!

As my dad would say, "Thanks to the 'whole fam-damly' for the great time!"

Here is a picture I took of mom with her dog, Keisha. I'm not a big fan of that bark-y little dog and I think the feeling is mutual! I'm sure she sees me as a disruption of their schedule - and she likes change about as much as I do!! But we made it thru the week without biting each other!! LOL!

Even Nebraska weather was on it's best behavior. Didn't need more than a sweatshirt jacket after the first couple of days. In fact, it hit 80 several days - so typical of Nebraska - go from furnace to air conditioning the same week!



I stayed with a quilting friend and we had lots of laughs and lots of quilting - just what I also needed. We had other quilters over and had outings to the International Quilt Museum; and four favorite quilt shops. I caught up with good friends at the University - got to see the quilts they've been working on. Went to my small group - Scrap Happens and to the guild meeting. It was a rolling show and tell - just glorious!

Last year I flew into to Omaha on a red-eye and ended up at Gretna in "The Quilted Moose" store parking lot - snoozing until they opened! [Never go to a favorite shop when overtired! Enuff said!] This year we went to the shop 6 days after I arrived. The owner said - and you haven't been here until now??? I told her DH flew me into Lincoln instead of Omaha - hoping to save some money and I told him "Don't be silly, I know how to get to Gretna!!"

My flights went fairly well - I wasn't sitting in front of any demon children this year! LOL! Got home and an hour later I was cooking dinner for the grandkids! It was easy - IKEA meatballs, but still - cooking! The next morning we headed for Newport. After 2 days there - 2 packed cars later, we're in Brookings. I have the feeling that vacation is OVER! And the move is beginning! Our barrister bookcase filled with my quilts is now here - so it feels alittle more like 'home'.

DH's plan is for us to move at least 2 carloads to Brookings each week. Hope to get the DSIL and DS to coordinate loading and unloading the truck with us towards the end of May. What a mountain of stuff to move!!! I reminded my DH that I love him - before we start moving the sewing room!!! It shouldn't be bigger than the move from NE - but I think it's "fluffed up" some!! LOL!

Back to Newport tomorrow for 2 days of sewing. Then up to Portland for a quick babysitting gig and tickets to see Cirque du Soleil's tent show. I've only seen them on TV - so I'm anxious to see them up close and personal!

Life after vacation always seems 'sped up' some how - just getting back in the groove. But I'd better get my act together - cuz here we go!!