Jacksonville Census News

So after a bit of searching, I have discovered that Jacksonville residents can plan to receive their census documents in March! This is fantastic, because by March, I should own a mailbox. I was slightly worried about the timing of our move, and missing the census takers as they make their rounds. And to top it off, we will get to check the "own" box (vs. Rent). Fill out your census! Your future grandchildren genealogists will thank you in 72 years.

Moving Countdown

Movers Come in.....5 days.
Leave CT in 7 Days....(begin homelessness)

Oh my goodness, we have so much to do. The husband has been fantastic though, and is definately taking on his share of the projects. I know it is going to happen, and I know everything is going to be okay, but there is so much to think about, it is all very overwhelming.

Send me happy vibes for house closing on Friday!

Our New House!

On Friday, if all goes well, we will be Homeowners. This is wonderful feeling, and we are both very excited move in, in March. Here are some pictures of the new digs!

Its a new home, and it has all the wonderful features you can imagine. Granite Countertops, Tile floors, super energy efficient, screened patio, Corian counters in the bathrooms. Drew likes the counter height bathroom counters (a little bit taller than your typical bathroom candidates. Mack's favorite feature is the large fenced back yard. Some pictures below are pictures of the model home (with furniture). The last picture is the beautiful community pool. I am very excited for the summer!

More Circus Fun

While we were in Jacksonville, circus John was there with his show. We had the amazing pleasure of seeing the dress rehearsal. It was the same show everyone else sees, but we were the whole audience. Its a new show from when we saw it in Worcester, MA. Amazingly, after all the circus shows I have seen, this was the first that I have gotten to see, while sitting next to my husband. I highly recommend seeing this show if it is in your area! It is called Funundrum. It pays homage to the old school circus in a fantastically updated way.

I took a picture under the sign in the last cirucs visit, you might notice that this sign is much much shorter than before, but still very large!

It was cool watching the tight rope walkers practice. Its amazing the things they do!

This is a Watousi. I had never even heard of one, but it is a very interesting looking animal!

This is the trampoline jumpers practice. I would like to say that this was one of my favorite acts, but I cannot say this because they were all great in their own special way. This act was much better with the costumes during the rehearsal!

This is the husband and I with our VIP guest pass. We had to carry this around the stadium, since our host had to work during the rehearsal.

This tiger wasn't in a great mood....I think he was missing his nap!

I loved this part, the dog is leading the elephant around. I wonder the training required to get the dog anywhere near the elephant....hmmm....

This is near the end, see previous post about trampoline jumpers! They are awesome. If you have the option to go see the show....GO, it is great! (PS. This is from the Blue tour.)

Heritage Quilt, Finished 2009

This was finished before Christmas, but as I am finally now downloading pictures to the camera, here it is, for your viewing pleasure! The binding on this one was actually a huge PITA, because I tried to finish in the car on the way down to PA. Threading a needle while in a moving vehicle, just doesn't work.

Official Countdown!

Drive to Pennsylvania...4 Days
Drive to Florida...5 Days
Movers Come...17 Days
Homeless...21 Days
Fly to Oregon...28 Days
Move to Florida...37 Days

Holiday Party

This is from the boat holiday party. The husband is wearing the JO uniform of the day, an ugly sweater. We had a fantastic time. This was most definately the best holiday party since here in Groton. I am so sad to be leaving this fantastic group of people!

Becoming a better photographer

While I know my sewing adventures are still learning opportunities at every turn, something tells me they would look a little better if I was able to photograph them properly. While I have read some material on the subject, I would love for some personal words of wisdom that could help me with my learning curve...

Anybody? Thanks!

Too many months without the men folk....

means that I have to have a different frame of mind when I call one of my girlfriends on the phone. For so long, when I would call them, of course there is a female voice on the other end. The boat has been home a month now, but subtract the vacation weeks, I have only been making these phone calls for a few weeks. It totally throws me for a loops when a male voice answers. I have a momentary pause....who did I call, and who is this answering the phone? For my wonderful San Juan friends, I will try to remember that your husbands are home now, and have every right to answer their telephone.

To Do List for today!

Take Down Christmas Tree and Holiday Decorations
Put Christmas Bins in Garage
Pick up pictures from Walgreens (Do we think they are still there?)
Clean out car from trip
Clean clothes away
Wash, dry, and fold at least two loads
Prepare house for cleaning tomorrow

Can I do it? I suppose the only reason I put my to do list here is more incentive to finish.
I got started on my picnic schnibble, and it is looking quite lovely in fact. The kit I am using is dandelion girl from fig tree quilts. And though I never thought to use a non white-ish (or any non solid for that matter) color for a background, the kit came with what looks like a coffee stained tablecloth, and I rather like it. I am not going to work on it until I finish all my other items.

Schnibbles Excuses

I didn't finish Schnibbles this month either, however, I do plan to complete both November and December. My November priorities were more focused on the end of the deployment, and the Picnic Schnibble did not call to me as loudly as the others had. During December, I had so many projects that I wanted to finish, and we left for the last half of the month for vacation, so alas, no tuffets either.

I found the greatest little shop in Pennsylvania, and found a cute little Picnic kit. It spoke to me, and I cannot wait to get started. I am going to finish my tuffets also. So my goal for January is to finish Picnic, Tuffets, and Madeline.

I am amazed by all the others that have been completed, and it is fun to see everyone's unique insight into the pattern! I am excited to try the Madeline pattern. I don't think I will do it in Red. I have some Authentic charm packs that would look great in this pattern.

Update: I joined the Charming Girls Quilt Club, so this will be my encouragement for finishing the extra schnibbles!

Scruffily Quilt Finished

 This one came together very quickly, and I love the frayed edges. I used some of the leftover jelly roll strips for the binding. I have alot of jelly roll strips left, so I think I might try a little bag...hmm. I promised Drew only little projects this month, so hopefull I can start and finish everything to minimize the confusion after we move.

I wasn't really counting, and I ended up with six extra layer cake squares. (I guess this means the Simple Abundance Layer cake has 42 squares.)

The green layer cake square in the middle has my fantastic little sweetwater label. I managed to use all my 2009 labels. I plan to get more 2010 labels, but probably after the move.