San Diego, July 2015 ASG Conference

I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the American Sewing Guild annual conference in San Diego this year. My first opportunity to attend something like this and I was not disappointed. 

The classes and lectures I attended:

Couture Fascinator with Diane Cavagnaro

Interfacings, Stay Tapes and Pressing Techniques with Pamela Leggett
Needles and Threads with Susie Seed
How to Fit a Dress Form with Joe Vechiarelli
Fitting Yourself by Yourself with Sagers
Sleeves Demystified with Maynard
and my very, very FAVORITE
Basic Couture Techniques with Claire Shaeffer

I have made three jackets using her book, so it was a real thrill to finally get to hear her speak and demonstrate the things she learned and the tools she uses.

She originally wanted to join the circus as a gymnast!

 She did have some pieces other than Chanel that she showed us. 

Our lecture hall for the day.

Claire's collection of Chanel jackets, amazing!

I met Susie on the shuttle from the airport to the convention center and invited her to join me and my room mate for the week. Each evening, we were all on our own for dinner and she was there by herself. We enjoyed getting to know one another as the week went on. One of the women from my little local chapter joined me and shared the hotel room. Another wonderful woman that I can now call my friend. 

I am so glad I got to attend the conference. The next one is in Indy, my home town, and I am hoping to go. From the chatter I heard around the conference this was NOT their best one by a long shot, and since ASG started in Indy and this is an anniversary conference, I expect to be blown away. That is, IF I manage to go. I sure hope to. I have much to learn. 

I stayed an extra day to tour around San Diego. I went with a group to Balboa Park and found this fabulous tree. 

I also ran across a museum with a Dr. Seuss collection! Fun!!

Love his books. And his art. 

After seeing this tree in Balboa Park, I can see where some of his inspiration came from. How Seussie is that? 

The view from my room. 

  My friends that I spent our extra time with. So glad I got to know these ladies. 

Trip to Illinois

When I found out my son was heading up to see my mom in northern Illinois I decided it would be the perfect time to go see mom! I would spend time with her before they arrived and after they left. 

After the trip was planned, we found out my dad's sister was in hospice, so we planned an additional trip down to Indy to visit her. I got to see a bunch of cousins, uncles, aunts and family that I rarely get to see, so it was a very special trip. Besides, my aunt was doing well enough to visit while we were there. 

Here are some of the fun things we did. 

A dramatic lunch

playground fun

Breakfast at the Stockholm Inn

A visit to Nicholas Conservatory & Garden featuring Legos!

KN making a special Father's Day card

Great Grandma with her little girls. 

Me with my precious grand daughters. 

What an extra special treat this trip was. So grateful.

The following are pictures that my sister-in-law took.

She captures memories, I sure love her. 

My little KN, That is who I am inside. I hope she never changes. 

May in North Carolina, 2015

We were able to celebrate two birthdays in NC this year. Since it had been nearly a full year since I had seen our Cowboy, who was turning 12, it was quite wonderful to see how close he is to being a man. You can see that part of him emerging. There is more maturity (although a LONG way to go) and of course he was quite a bit taller than last summer. But still not taller than me yet. 

The pictures I took are still to come . . . will be added later! 

Some of the highlights
Taking care of JR for a while.
Seeing D again so soon after his recent trip to see us at Easter.
Visiting the horse barn and seeing Lulu ride.
Watching the kids at the pool. 
Partying with KN who threw quite the bash in the front yard.
Seeing some old friends from Norway who conveniently live nearby.

Spending time with the kids and grand kids is a joy in and of itself. Nothing has to be done, no where has to be gone to, just being with them is enough. I love those little people. 

One thing I learned is Apple is pretty protective of their photos and makes it nearly impossible to rotate. I did research and found this to be widespread. Ridiculous. I took these selfies and after many steps, are still upside down, but I remember being right side up. 

My mom will have to lock her screen and flip her iPad to see them right side up. Go mom, you can do it. 

Sometimes I find my well behaved, well parented grands are  . . . NORMAL. 

Who doesn't remember horsing around and squishing the little bro? 

D's visit -MONDAY

I am so happy I heard about a place near us, 7 Acre Wood. That was the destination and start to Monday. The perfect place for a little guy to explore, play and let loose.

A fun day with Grandfather

D had a boat in his backyard, but this one is bigger! 

Climbing and hanging, two things D does excel at.

Giant games!

Being silly with dad. 

In jail in the Old Western Town.

Some sort of spinning bar that D mastered. 

More climbing. 

Feeding the goats. 

Meeting the baby goats. SO much cuter when they are little. 

Tether ball with Grandfather.

Zip lining, kid size. 

Pogo sticking.

Basketballing.

Putt putting. 

Climbing again.

Grandfather as a girl! 

It was a fun place.

We then headed back to our neighborhood. I had been telling D about a trick our community tried to play on people. They got me with it when I first saw it, but D was not quite as gullible. He noticed right away it wasn't real. 

Watching the fish in the little river. 

Walking to the ice cream store. 

Gummy bears take a LONG time to chew when they are in ice cream. So cold, so chewy. 

D found out we had a 99 cent store in our area. 

He loves to shop there, so we ran by. 

He got pom poms. He is really interested in Cheerleading and will make a great one!

Some bike riding with Grandfather. 

Another park. 

More hanging. 

D discovered a bunny in the woods near the park. 

Another park, #3 for the day. 

A 4th park! 

D discovered a Bottle Brush Tree, he was fascinated. 

We fixed D's favorite dinner, chicken and sweet potato. 

Then out back for another marshmallow roast. 

Such a special day with Grandfather. 

I think D could do this day over and over.

I love D.

I am exhausted!