Japanese Garden at Como Park

On the same trip to St. Paul we visited the Japanese Garden that is just outside the conservatory. It was a nice break from sitting outside in the heat at baseball games. I didn't remember ever walking through there before, but when we told our son that we stopped, he remembered a trip there when he must have been very young. At one point on the trail through the garden you can step on stones to cross the water. He remembered that and thinking it was so cool. I'm sure I was stressed out worrying that he would fall in the water. I was reminded again that I just don't remember things as well as I used to. My husband and I had our 25th anniversary the weekend after this, so we had someone take our picture. If we look like a couple of fat, tired, worn out old-married folks, that's because that's what we are. Ha

After visiting the conservatory, garden, and zoo we went over to our son's house to meet him when he got home from work. We walked from there to Five Guys where we had a delicious hamburger and homemade fries and also peanuts in the shell while we were waiting. It was nice to go out with him and hear about his new job and catch up a little.

The Conservatory

Earlier in the summer we visited the Como Conservatory in St. Paul while we were in town for the State Baseball Tournament. It was beautiful as usual and since we were visiting mid-week it wasn't as crowded. We also walked through the Japanese garden and the zoo, but I'll save those pictures for another day. This hibiscus and the star gazer lily below were simply huge. I have a neighbor with a perennial hibiscus that is blooming right now; a very beautiful red one and the whole bush is covered with flowers. I have my own lilies too, it's just that the deer like to eat the buds. I had a few that bloomed before the deer got to them.

Good Times

I just spent a few minutes this afternoon reading back through some of my old blog entries. What a fun way to remember some of the joys and challenges of the past few years. I've gotta say, I impressed myself with some of the entries...nice pictures, thoughts and remembrances....as least that's the way I felt today.

I feel obligated to report that everything is actually going really well with the family right at this moment. It was kind of a rough year or so and 2010 in particular will probably go down as one of the worst years ever, but things seem to be on the right track.

Here's a bit of an update and a few things I've learned to be thankful about-

DH started a new job this week, a regular job where he will get paid and have some benefits. We will never take that for granted after spending several years in under employment with no benefits to speak of. It doesn't mean we weren't working hard, but hard work does not always translate to a steady paycheck and benefits, something I'll always remember before judging others. He'll be doing most of his training out of town, so that will be different, but he will still be home every weekend, so we will make the most of that.

CS (college son), is college son no more having graduated in May. He found a job right away and started work after Memorial Day. There again, feel very happy that he graduated in four years and found a job, with benefits no less. In this economy, that's not a sure thing for new grads and we are really proud of him.

CD (college daughter) finished her sophomore year with flying colors and got a great summer internship that provides a generous stipend, room and board. We've missed having her around, but she has been having a wonderful summer. A new boyfriend in the mix has helped her happiness level a lot, can't wait to meet him. He's a farm boy, so I already have a good impression.

TB (tall beast) is even taller and more beastly and now a high school graduate. He's going to a liberal arts college sponsored by our church denomination that is nearby. He's had a great summer filled with baseball, work, and lots of rest and food. I feel a little like I'm grabbing at his heels as he grows up and will go away to college in such a short time. I'm not looking forward to him leaving, but I know he will do well and it's the best for him.

All of the changes and challenges of the last few months have been stressful, but I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and feel like we will get through it all just fine. All of it gives me a bit of perspective and helps me to remember that life has it's highs and lows and even at what seems like the lowest, there are those a lot worse off, and always lessons to be learned that obviously aren't easy or quickly learned.

A Few Quilt Projects

I finally had a quilting frenzy to finish some projects for three different silent auctions. One was for our church youth, one for the high school band, and one for a benefit our school's athletic trainer who is battling cancer.

I'm on Spring Break this week and trying to enjoy it, but a cold and cold weather are hampering it a little. I'm also so jealous of several families who are taking fabulous vacations during break. It is nice to have some extra time though and I've gotten a few little projects done around the house despite not feeling the greatest.

Where has the time gone?

I had a busy, but good weekend and I've spent a little time tonight catching up on reading some of my favorite blogs. I'm happy to see that I'm still listed on a couple of blogrolls despite the fact that I haven't blogged for 4 MONTHS!

Our college kids were home this weekend and it was nice to spend some time with them. We watched a movie at home Friday night and did some shopping and went out to a movie on Saturday. The girls went to "The King's Speech", which we really liked. The guys went to "True Grit", which they enjoyed as well.

Today we had our annual meeting a church, so I was busy with serving the lunch and DH presided at the meeting. He has finished his term as church president, so whoo-hoo for that! A few less meetings for him to attend.

I don't have any quilt pictures to post although I have been doing a little block making. I haven't completed anything for months with the exception of my block of the month blocks, so I'm a little ashamed of that. It seems like its easy to waste time in the winter and days go by without a lot of productivity going on.

We've had an incredible amount of snow this year and many cold and gray days, so Spring will be very welcome. I hope the next four months go by quickly as well, and no promises, but perhaps a quilt picture will appear in this space. Blessings to you all!!

5 days down, 175 to go

I made it through the first week of school unscathed. The first week is always good, the kids are nice, the teachers too frazzled to really pay much attention to some of the details that drive me crazy, the principal still on "politician running for office" mode. We will see where it goes from here. I've actually applied for a couple of other positions, not sure whether I really want either of them, but it would be more money. DH has another interview next week, so I'm hoping for the best there too.

On the quilting front, I joined another block of the month group with my girlfriends. So the first Friday or Saturday of the month will have us making the rounds of the two shops to get our blocks. It keeps me sewing any way and it's quite cheap if you can avoid the temptation to buy something each month, something I've gotten really good at. I'll try to post some pictures soon.

TB's football season has gotten off to a good start and they've won their first two games. This last Friday, the game was called for lightning right before the first half and they had to continue on Saturday night. It was the cross town rival, so it was a good win.

That's about all that's new, I'll try to post some quilty pictures soon.

Moving along

Where has the summer gone?? I guess I've kind of lost interest in the whole blogging thing, hence my lack of posts, although I do still keep up with reading my favorites. We spent the last few days helping our two older kids get moved to the apartments they're going to have for this year in college. I told our daughter that it would be nice if she stayed there for the next three years, especially since I plan on taking another load of heavy things up in a few days. Our son is living in the worst house imaginable. I can't believe what it's like for the rent he has to pay! You'd have to pay me that much to stay in that house, so I told him he didn't have to worry about us wanting to stay overnight or anything.
It has been a summer with many transitions relating to our children, aging parents, job and financial situations, and just life in general. Also a summer of highs and (mostly) lows, but I guess that is what life is like. When I was younger I guess I didn't view things as "big picture" as I do now. "Big picture" we're doing great...we have our health, kids doing okay, nice home, etc. Get out the microscope though and things aren't so hot. It's funny how many things come down to finances, especially when you don't have a lot, but it's true. I still have the hope that things will turn around for us though, so I guess you never know. I also know I'm not alone with this, but in our little circle that doesn't help. Okay, I'm starting to ramble, so I'll wind this up with one of the highs of our summer, a new great-nephew. I made him this little quilt.