Actually I started my sewing last week, have a day gown that is in need of buttons to be finished.  I will haul it off to the fair on Friday and see how it goes.  It is a Lynn Holyoak design, that I took a class from her at the Martha Pullen School several years ago.  It is white batiste with soft green leaves and peach bullion flowers between the buttons holes.  I made this same gown for Natalie and Lucas with the same HAND embroideries, but think their gowns were embroidered in white.  The bottom of the gown is supposed to have a drawstring tie but I decided to edge this one with lace.  I am thinking she probably needs a slip and maybe bloomers under it since she will be a winter baby. 

Oh yes, I said HAND, those who know me know that I am always saying that HAND embroidery is a four letter word!! And yes undisputedly so it is.  Besides the obvious meaning I am inferring that hand embroidery is not a good thing when you have great embroidery machines.  However, sometimes I just love to do some hand work and this is an easy design so I use it quite often, for special babies!  I’ll try to get a picture posted soon, as soon as it is totally finished.  I can’t wait to show it off, but would like most of all to show it with baby Anna Beth in it… well I guess that will be for a later date!

Oh, in case you are wondering, they chose the name Anna, just because they liked it.  Dwight didn’t know that was the name of my grandmother, which I think is kind of kewl that they chose it and that it actually is an old family name.  Elizabeth is Sara’s middle name, and if I am not mistaken it is also her mothers’ middle name.   I am sure they didn’t realize that it is also my brother’s daughter’s middle name as well.  When they were talking about names but had not decided I told them they did not have to name the baby after or in honor of anyone, just choose a name that they liked and that was a good strong name to give a precious child.  I think they have chosen wisely, I can’t wait to meet her in person.  I know December will be here before long and she will be here.  I just hope that I am ready for her, I have so much sewing to do before she gets here. 

I still have things to finish up for the fair this Friday.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute but hey, I do my best work under pressure!  I’ll be back after the fair to let you know how my projects stood up to all the talented women in Lincoln County.  Wish me luck!   

Until Next time!!

 My dear Melissa decided after she got started with her collection….that I SHOULD collect thimbles too!  So it started.. now three small shadow boxes full later…I am still looking for them..and am collecting like a good Mom should…. lol.. that is if a Mom that sews and likes that sort of thing.. even if they are dust collectors..  

 I drove to Ft Leavenworth KS to drop Dwight off.. but they didn’t keep him…. at least not for long….. hummmm that is another story.. back to the thimbles..

 We were staying 8 miles from the fort in Missouri.. sooooo…. I hopped on the interstate one day after I had dropped him off.. landed in St Joseph.. not that far away actually.. found a Missouri thimble there.. but no Kansas one.. well.. TOTO.. FYI…..I wasn’t in Kansas.. so what did I expect????.

On Friday before we left on Saturday morning.. I told him that I had gone to the big quilt shop there in the town of Leavenworth (great shop.. another story.. but look at their website the name is Quilters Quarters)…and the only thing I had not done was to find a Kansas thimble… well….we headed straight to the PX (Post Exchange for those non military related folks out there)… and we found a pewter one.. that has Ft. Leavenworth on it.. for $15.. nope.. that would not do.. to expensive and was not the state.. but was Ft. Leavenworth instead.. I really want to collect states….sooo….we drove all over Kansas City, Kansas or was it Kansas City, Missouri?????  who knows.. I think the two run together.. some imaginary line is there somewhere.. that means a lot to some.. nothing to others… I never saw it.. although I was looking… but really trying to find a Kansas thimble was my mission..well there was just none anywhere to be found… I was beginning to think they don’t make them with Kansas inscribed on them… so we gave up.. I said I could contact a friend that lives nearby and has a son in Kansas City ….. (not sure which one) whom she visits quite often and maybe she would send me one.. $2 bucks cost $4 postage.. still less that the $15 one at the PX… and it would be the STATE.. I would be sure to tell her I wanted STATE… and being the good friend she is.. she probably would send me one post haste..

 I am sure we used more than $15 in gas money.. and of course had to stop a couple of times for a drink or snack along the way.. so in the end the $15 Ft. Leavenworth sounds pretty cheap about now.. but alas it was too late.. and we didn’t make it back to the PX. 

 After we got home.. the first thing I did was that I made a LIST.. List are good things.. I like list.. I do a lot of  list.. now if I can figure out how to keep up with them..that woudl be just great….. oops.. another story coming from that.. but not now..

 I found that I already have a Kansas and at least three Missouri ones.. well.. my thing is this.. I only want them from where I have been.. which is a good thing.. but do I need three from the same state??? just different places????  it seems I have several duplicates.. not just Missouri.. and have nowhere near the ones I really really want.. since I want STATES.. more than I do  places.. the bad thing is.. I don’t even have four of the seven states that I actually lived in and none of the foreign countries.. I thought that might mean I would have to revisit those places.. until… untill..

I remembered  a fireworks/gas station/convienience store on the interstate not to far from where I live that has ALL 50 states.. So I have made another list and plan to make a trek over there one day soon to finish my collection to date.. without the countries but at least get the states I am missing.. and the good thing is.. the ones they have are only 99 cents each.. I won’t break the bank.. but can pick up all those I am missing..

oh, by the way… I talked with a friend who lives in Oklahoma.. (got three of those).. the one who has a son in Kansas City.. thought I might ask her to send me a Kansas state one.. told her the saga.. she said she would have settled for the one from the PX!!!

Go Figure.. 

 hugs as always

Kathy

Although you can’t tell it by the heat index, summer is slowly drawing to a close.  I have been quite remiss in posting but have given a great bit of thoughts about doing so.  I read a number of other blogs and wonder why I am not blogging?  It is because I really don’t have that much to say?  No, surely not!  This has been a busy summer for me, for us, let me see if I can catch you up to some point about what my life has been like this summer. 

We started way back in April with a vacation week to Disney with our daughter, Melissa and our  son-in-law,  Tom along with our two grandchildren, Natalie and Lucas.  It was a fun filled week with Micky and the Princesses, the grand children are just the right age to enjoy it. I highly reccomment anyone with small children or  grandchildren to take the time (and money) and take the kids to such a magical place.  Their little faces were so much fun to watch as they enjoyed their time there.  Watching their Mama and Dad was precious too.  It is so grand to be able to see your children, enjoying their children. 

Melissa did a wonderful thing for me for Mother’s Day.  She made a hardcover scrapbook with pictures of the week, with a sweet message in it about our time.  She is the sweetest of daughters, so kind and thoughtful, she too is just precious and special.

Although my grandchildren are only 4 and 5 they were the best kids in the park.  Ok, so I know, everyone thinks their kids or grand kids are the best ever, but I at telling the truth about this, they never complained about being hot, tired or hungry.  We always ready to go see something new or ride a ride.  The worst thing they did was sigh when they were to small for some of the rides in some of the parks or when they had to wait while Mom and Dad, or Mimi and Papa rode something but they never complained.  As soon as that was taken care of, off we were to do something fun for them, after all it was their week!  And in case you are wondering, we did find Nemo!

One other very exciting thing happend while we were in Florida this year.  I recieve a text from my son, Dwight, who lives in Virginia followed by and excited phone call wanting to know if I had seen the text.  I had not but immediately checked to find no words, just a picture of a pregnancy test that said PREGNANT!!!  I knew that my son and daughter-in-law  Sara were wanting to start a family and knew immediately that they have!!! Baby D is due in December, just like his dad.  I am  hoping it is a week or so before Chrismtmas, as we know first hand what it is like to have a “Christmas baby”,  but you and I both know baby will decide when the final date arrives, that is  if he/she is like any of the other Durmon’s I k now.  We should be finding out baby’s gender Septemer 1st.  So far two ultrasonds have not been successful.  Let’s hope baby is a little more cooperative  September 1st.  That will be a whole new blog I am sure!!!

There is so much more to tell about our times and travels this summer, but that will have to be for another day.

Thanks again everyone for testing and for patients in dealing with the afore mentioned issues.

until next time….

Kathy

The Wedding gown makeover has come to a standstill while I am busy editing but hopefully I will have more to report on that next time!  I have such great ideas for it, I just can’t wait to get back to working on the little dress that is on the table in pieces!  Hopefully someday I will have another little girl that will be able to wear this little dress!

Dwight and I spent last week end in Pigeon Forge, TN at the Tennessee State Square Dance Convention.  There were hundreds of people there but the two I wanted to see most were my son and daughter in law!  They are taking square dance lessons again and learning how much fun dancing can be.  They drove from Richmond, VA to come down to visit and dance with us.  We had a great time and all four of us registered for next year’s convention! 

I presented the sewing clinic sponsored by the convention.  Did you know you can talk for an hour about gathering fabric?  At least I can and did.  the amazing part is that people were really interested.  I had a whopping 47 people in the class the most I have ever had at one of these!  It was totally awesome.  I have been getting e-mail feedback from it since late Sunday.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it and learned a lot, several even said it was “the best square dance sewing clinic that they had ever attended!”… gosh.. makes my head swell.  So my mind is already racing about what I can do at next year’s convention!

I ask for clubs around the state to donate door prizes for the clinic and I had 8 total.. You would not believe what huge and luxurious baskets these clubs put together, each was a feast for the eyes, the lucky people that received them were amazed at how nice they were.  Square dancers are such fun and giving people.  I am proud to be associated with them!  If you have never square danced, since your 4th grade PE class you should seek out a club and give it a try.  One caller said it is one of the best kept secrets around, and we tell everyone about it.  You meet people from all over the world and have a great time with them, form lasting friendships and become an extended family at times. 

Dwight and I have been dancing for 15 years and still enjoy it.  We have traveled to 14 National conventions that are held around the US.  Always different area, different people, we have danced with people from every state in the US, Canada, Germany, England, Australia, and Saudi Arabia just to name a few.  One of the most fun conventions we attended was in Birmingham, AL.  There were 24 THOUSAND… that is right 24 thousand people at that dance!! all ages from all places.. can you imagine that number of people all enjoying one activity… together!!!  Our picture was featured in SMITHSONIAN magazine centerfold that year.  We were dancing in the large arena in the convention center in Birmingham, when we had decided we had danced as long as we possibly could, we tried to leave.  We would walk a few feet and a new group would need a couple to finish out their square, so we would stop and dance, then move on.  It took us 30 minutes to move from the middle of the arena floor to the door, dancing our way out.  It was totally awesome. 

Many people say that square dancing is on it’s way down, many of the dancers are older and no longer able to dance, the numbers have dropped but the enthusiasm hasn’t.  There are a number of newer and younger dancers out there, young callers and leaders.  Regardless of age it is something that is good for you and fun too.  If you have been thinking about it, STOP.. and just come join us soon!!! and as we dancers say..

Yellowrock (hugs)  until we see you across the square

Kathy

One more tidbit, the gown isn’t for anyone in particular.. just something I wanted to do..

Until next time.. keep stitching!

!

Last week as I returning from a business trip, the passengers from our flight gathered around the luggage carrousel to pick up our luggage. As we waited, I noticed a young soldier dressed in full battle dress uniform, patiently waiting with us. He may have been 18 or 20, but I doubt he was much older, a mere child but a soldier all the same. By his side was either a girlfriend or young wife, clinging ever so close to him. I was struck by how young they both looked and thought about what he was doing, for all of us, for our freedom. I thought that he probably was home on leave and was probably destined to deploy soon, like so many others.

As all these thoughts, and even more of a grimmer nature, ran through my head, another young man, probably in his late 20’s or early 30’s, walked up to the soldier and shook hands. It wasn’t the greeting of two old friends or brothers, but one of introduction. The older of the two was dressed in summer casual shorts and a t-shirt but I noticed he had a winning smile and a military hair cut, he was wearing a full leg brace and was walking with a pronounced limp with the aid of cane. A conversation ensued, I wasn’t close enough to hear any of it and wasn’t really interested in what they had to say, but at the end I heard the older say, “I don’t want to bum you out man, but it is really a bad place you are headed.”   My deployment thoughts were confirmed.  It was obviously one soldier speaking to another.   His statement was loud enough that obviously others that were waiting nearby heard the comment.

An older gentleman, probably 70+ was standing just in front of the threesome. I am sure he must have heard that final statement, as he quickly turned around and shook hands with the two younger men. At the end of this banter, the injured soldier shook hands with the older gentleman and said “I know what I went through over there was nothing compared to the big war you were in. I just want to thank you for the job you did.”

The older gentleman smiled and made a reply. I didn’t hear his statement but would like to think he thanked the injured soldier for his job and hope that he wished the younger soldier well as they shook hands and he returned to his waiting post. As he turned to walk away, the injured soldier said. “Thanks again, Old Soldier” and saluted. The older gentleman, soldier, didn’t return the salute but I noticed he stood just a little taller and a little prouder.

It was a private conversation that I had privy to just the ending but felt so honored to be in the presence of such great men. Having been married to a military man for nearly 40 years, it touches me to see the caring and respect given to the brethren of warriors, regardless of their age or place in life.

This three or so minutes of conversation would have made the most wonderful essay of my school career if I had the privilege of seeing it and understanding it in time to write it. I hope what I have written about what I witnessed last week touches you as much as it did me.! Of all my years, and all the Memorial Days, all the 4th of July’s I have spent, I have never witnessed the true meaning of these holidays. With Memorial Day soon approaching, I would like for everyone to be reverent and think about the true meaning of this holiday. It isn’t about the first day of summer, the picnics, family reunions and camp outs. It isn’t about time off work or the ability to take the kids on a trip because it is summer vacation, but it is a time to remember those who gave the ultimate for our freedom and way of life.

God Bless America!

Kathy Durmon

May 24, 2007