Friday Night Sewing

I had a great time last night at a sewing lock-in at my favorite fabric shop, Sew Heavenly. Ok I'm a bit prejudiced since I work there I guess, but it really is a delightful shop and I love being a small part of it. The event started at 6 but I had dinner with my girlfriends and made it there around 8:30. I was surprised at how many women were there, sewing away - probably about 20 or 25 I'd say. There was a ton of food, though I didn't share that since I had just eaten. Women were buying supplies, working on project, helping each other, all amid lots of conversation and laughter. It was great. The shop does this every time there is a 5th Friday in a month - hmm looks like May will be the next time. Count me in!

I never actually SEWED but I did make a lot of progress on a project I've been wanting to start for over a year. I'm going to make a cute jacket, made primarily out of cotton/linen dish towels. Of course, I decided to use a different pattern and do it my own way, so that will take a bit longer, but I think it's going to be really pretty. I bought the fabric for the lining, the bias binding, trace-a-pattern and, oh yea, a new pattern. Considering all the dish towels I bought last year, I think I now have about $50 invested in this jacket! I keep referring to it as my $900 jacket (but the price keeps going up as I keep adding new items and make changes). All I got done last night was picking out and buying the fabric for the lining and bias, and tracing each piece of the pattern 3 times!!!! It was soooooo boring but necessary and I'm glad that part is done. So now the fun can begin. When I get it done, I'll post a picture on here. But don't hold your breath and sit by with eager anticipation - I'm rather slow at this!

I'm hoping to do a little furniture shopping today - we'll see how that goes with THE BOOT! Oh - to go back to the sewing thread - I've decided to make an alteration in the Velcro straps on the thing to make it easier to get on and off, and fit better. What an exciting sewing project!!!

Exciting News

#2 Son Matt dropped a bomb on me yesterday while at work. We were talking about a few things and then he said "Oh yea, me and Denise are engaged" and hung up. Of course I quickly called him back, and he was laughing when he answered. After I chewed him out for doing that to me, I got details!

He proposed the previous night to long-time girlfriend Denise, and she accepted. They want to get married February 2 (2009 of course), a 2-ish in the afternoon so that it will be - are you ready for this - 2/22 at 2:22PM. It happens to be a Sunday next year, so I guess it's do-able. Denise is currently in college - not sure when she finishes but I think it's before then. And I know no other details other than - guess we'll be planning a wedding! Yippe!!!! And yes, I like her and think this will be great.

I asked if he'd given her a ring and he replied that he was working on it - so I've made an offer. I have the engagement ring from his dad put away in my jewelry box, and don't care to wear it again. But if he wants it - or can use the diamond and have it put in a new setting perhaps - he's welcome to it. He picked it up last night but I wasn't home at the moment, so I don't know his opinion as yet. I won't be offended if he decides to go another route - it's small, just 1/4 carat, but he said Denise doesn't want anything big and flashy. So we'll see.......

Way cool!

I've been Tagged!

Sister Jo is making me do this - not something I nomally do. But here goes - though it's not going to be easy.

Rules :
1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers.

2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).

3. After you are tagged, you need to update your blog with your middle name and your answers.

4. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name.(Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details.)

L - Loves to sew

Y - You've got to be kidding. YOI!

N - Needs to get more sleep (have you ever tried sleeping with 10 lb. boot on your foot, while having hot flashes!

N - Needs to get a life!

Ok now about posting to other blogs - I thought from reading Sister Jo's blog that the person I post to must begin with the letter of my last name. But after re-reading the rules, I don't think that's the way it works. HOWEVER, since I know two and only two people with blogs, Sisters Jo and Lisa. So here you go!

Yoi!

I learned some very sad news while at work today - Myron Cope, the long-time, much beloved announcer for the Pittsburgh Steelers died this morning. Around lunchtime, I clicked onto AOL to check my email and saw the words "Terrible Towel Creator Dies" and I instantly felt like the breath had been knocked out of me. At almost the same instant, my cell phone beeped with a text message (and I rarely get them) from son Greg, sharing the news. I spent the next 1/2 hour or so reading about this tragic loss online at various Pittsburgh news websites, with tears rolling down my cheeks. Myron, the voice and the spirit of the Steelers, was so much a part of my life for so many years. While I was growing up, my grandfather always listened to the games on the radio, so Myron's unique voice was a fixture in our home. After Kevin and I married and moved to Pittsburgh, we were part of the Steeler Nation, as the team won Superbowl after Superbowl in the late 70's.

It's difficult to explain to people who've never lived in Pittsburgh, but there is such an incredible "oneness" to being a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, a strong sense of community and desire to belong to this cult. During my last trip to "the Burgh" last fall for a wedding, I met a friend for brunch at Eat 'N Park, a local restaurant's chain (another thing I miss!), and it happened to be the home opener for the Steelers that afternoon. At 10 AM, cars were already in the parking lot of Heinz Field with people tailgating before the game. EVERYONE in the restaurant that morning (except me and daughter Becca) was wearing a Steeler shirt. I felt very under dressed. And THAT'S an example of the spirit of Pittsburgh.

Myron Cope had a lot to do with developing that spirit - he invented the "Terrible Towel" plus so many Cope-isms.

I have my Terrible Towel hanging in my office, draped with a black ribbon, as my symbol of mourning. No one else in the office understands or gets it, and they think I'm crazy, but I don't care.

It's a sad, sad day in my beloved 'Burgh. And the sadness is truly felt around the world.

In Myron's words, Yoi! Double Yoi! Triple Yoi! I wave my towel for you.

Mac and Cheese

Last night I went with some friends to see the movie "Juno", a charming tale about a pregnant teenager. While I enjoyed the movie, there was one line that stuck out and really meant something to me. Juno was talking about her relationship with the baby's father, who was her best friend and - here it is - "the cheese for my macaroni". I LOVE that - and that's what I want to find - my best friend, the love of my life, the cheese for my macaroni!