Let's (Not) Bee Friends!!

A few of you know that a couple weeks ago, I walked into my studio and looked out the window as I always do, to admire the view. My heart nearly stopped as I saw the entire view blocked by hundreds of bees ~ on the INSIDE of the window!! I beat a hasty retreat & got Larry. He tried to open the window for them to leave, but most were dying and the few that left, tried to return. We let nature take its course and cleaned bees up off the floor. We thought that we knew where they might have gotten in ~ but, one thing led to another, & thinking it was probably a fluke, we let it slide. Well ... last Saturday late afternoon, I again went into my studio to get my laptop, and history repeated itself!! There, covering the window, were hundreds of bees! I felt like I was in a bad "B" movie remake of The Birds & bees had been substituted. Once again I beat a hasty retreat & this time Larry was able to watch them enter the room. He sent J and Pat to the store for expandable sealer for the outside of the house while he clear caulked the interior opening. He also sprayed bee killer on them. We let them die in peace as he & Pat fixed the exterior. Monday morning I cleaned up the mess. This was just a small portion of the bees:


Here's a close-up:

How disgusting! But, now we are sealed up tight. I don't care to be friends with these bees.

Total Surprise!!

Well, this last Friday was my birthday and Larry surprised me big-time! He arranged for Shelley to fly down from Illinois to surprise me. Becca picked her up from the airport and brought her here. As I answered the door & saw Becca, I reached out to give her a hug & caught Shelley out of the corner of my eye. It didn't register at first, but when it sunk in, I almost had heart failure!! That evening, Becca hosted a birthday dinner for me at Fatty & Mabel's.

We had a riot!! Dinner was wonderful, drinks were great, and the tequila shot was superb!! Here we all are: Robin, Shelley, me, Larry & Becca

Saturday morning, Becca arranged a boat excursion for us with her friend "Capt'n Dave". He was a great seaman!! Here is Shelley & I in the back leaving Gulf Harbors.

We went out to Anclote Island & had a few beverages & chatted. We hunted for shells, watched some dogs playing together in the surf & walked the island. Here is Larry & Robin

And Becca & Capt'n Dave

We cooked out on the boat & then headed back in. He took us by our house. This is the first time we have seen it from the water. He got in so close.

We had a perfect day on the water & then went to the New Port Richey celebration. Had dinner at Fitzgerald's (Fabulous Sheppard's Pie) and saw the fireworks. We also had a couple more tequila shots & met some more friends! It was a wonderful weekend. Larry is so thoughtful & caring. I couldn't be more lucky to have him & our friends ~ both the "old ones" & the new!! Thanks to everyone for making my birthday so special!!

Not in Oz ...

OK, so I know I am supposed to get Jennifer's wedding pics up here & I promise I will ~ BUT ~ 3 days ago we had a wild & wicked storm blow thru ... & I do mean blow!! 65 mph winds with rain and hail. We lost a lounger off the 3rd floor balcony (totaled) as well as a couple of cushions that wound up in the neighbor's lot. A fish by the pool is now IN the pool. :-)

Isn't funny how the wind can do these things?

Gracious Dinner in Yorkville

Friday night dinner in Yorkville was wonderful. The people and the food were, as always, stellar!! Our gracious hosts, Joanna & Mike, who also let us invade their privacy and stay the week with them as well. We thank them!!

Here is Joanna & Sue looking angelic.

The food was awesome and so was the company!!

Magic Hands! Thanks again!!

So good to be here with our friends.

Every party needs a dancer!

It was a dance move ...

We had a fabulous time!! Florida is wonderful & we are making a few friends here, but we miss our "old" friends too.

April Birthdays

For quite a few years now Val & Bob, Tammy & Don, and Larry & I have gotten together for the "April Birthdays". Out of the six of us, four have birthdays in April; Bob, Tammy, Don, & Larry. We had dinner at Rock Bottom where they surprised the Birthday-ees with cake & ice cream.

Yummy!

Tammy & Don

The group

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was spent with Ma & Dad having breakfast at Timber Oaks Clubhouse. They had everything you could think of to eat: biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, omletes, french toast, pancakes, juce, coffee and Bloody Marys! We had a wonderful time!! All my kids managed to check in for Mother's Day & wish me the best. Thank you all!! This picture sums it up nicely tho ... If you are thinking of doing something that you shouldn't ...

Don't You DAAR-RA!! Because Mother Knows Best!!

Ma & Dad's 40th Anniversary!!

Who would have thunk it?? 40 years??!! And they are still smiling!! :-) Larry and I helped them celebrate their 40th anniversary. Ma wanted to know if we heard the one about ...

It was a really good one!!

We went to Outback Steakhouse and ate ourselves silly!!

These two are forever wary of the other!! Is that the secret to 40 years together??

Here's to 40 more!!

Larry's Birthday Dinner

We had a fabulous time for Larry's birthday!! Becca hosted a birthday dinner for Larry at Grille 54 and the food was out of this world!!

So was the birthday cake!!

Captain Candy, Eric, Becca, myself and Larry all had a blast!! (Altho everyone gets a little tired of my picture taking. :-)

Great Food, Great Friends, Great Time!! Thanks again Becca, for making Larry's birthday so special!!

A Birthday Present for Larry

Happy Birthday to Larry!! Here he is arriving home after picking up his birthday present.

A brand new Dodge Challenger 6.1 Hemi 6 speed manual transmission and 2 miles on it when he took delivery. This car rocks!!

It has been his dream car ever since he first heard they were developing it.

Now he is a proud owner!! Happy Birthday Larry!! XXOO :-**

Visits and Birthdays

Two birthdays have happened: Dad turned 80 and Ma turned 79. We treated them each to their favorite birthday meals ... Pork chops for Dad and Burritos for Ma. :-) Fun times were had by all. Dad was grateful that Larry cooked the pork chops (so was I). I did the burritos, but missed Kevin's assistance w/the tortillas.

Speaking of Kevin; he brought his youngest to Florida to visit Grandma Pat & Grandpa Don. He also came to visit us. We were proud to be voted "Coolest house ever" by Ryan.

Ricky Tims Super Seminar

Last weekend was the Ricky Tims Super Seminar with Libby Lehman and Alex Anderson.

This seminar was held in Ocala, FL which is only a two hour drive from where I live. I was SO EXCITED to be able to attend this advent!! As my friend Sandi says: BOUNCE BOUNCE!! Here is Alex Anderson signing autographs.

It started on a Thursday afternoon and went through Saturday evening. It was an absolutely phenomenal learning adventure with a free concert thrown in. No sewing ... Only lectures from three of the top Quilters in the business right now. I learned so much, so quickly, that my brain is oozing!

Here is Libby Lehman with me

I had a favorite quilt (or more than one!!) from each teacher, but hands down, my top favorite was by Libby Lehman called "Circle the Date"

Here is Alex Anderson with me

Ricky and Libby graciously signing autographs and posing for photos. The lines were long for all three.

This was the view on a break. Every seat was filled and extra seats had to be added.

Alex's husband, "Captain" John, hard at work promoting The Quilt Show; an online Quilting Community and Show (of which he is a producer and the Captain at the Helm!)

Justin, John, Libby and Alex

Question and Answer time; John, Justin & Alex (3 of the 4 producers of ARJJ Productions) Ricky's picture was had to get, since he is in perpetual motion and they are all blurry!

My bouncing friend from The Quilt Show, Sandi, talking with Ricky and Libby.

A Studio Is Born!!

Inspiration must have struck while I was asleep, as I woke up with a wild hair itching to rearrange my room.

Stuck?? STUCK??

New Home for my 6600. Much more logical place!!

Now I can actually get to my design wall and see what I am doing.

My adjustable table had to be re-situated. Easier access for cutting without being in the entrance to the room. And while the 11000 doesn't have a view, most of the time you walk away from it as it is stitching.

Shelves & Frame. For storage purposes, the iron and the frame are pushed all the way back. But with minor adjustments, a top can be quilted on the frame here in this area. And, since I have to pay close attention to what I am doing, the view isn't as important for this machine.

Lee Ann suggested this arrangement, but for some reason I had it in my head that the frame was 14 feet long. I am glad that this works!

My new view as I sit at my 6600. Most of my piecing is done on this machine. I love having this inspiring view. (Hmmmm, about that art quilt ...)


!!Voila!! A Studio is born!! (Now, where are my Bayer Back & Body pills??)