Saturday, May 15, 2010

A.W.O.L.

Yep.......I have been AWOL from blogging.  I really do have a good excuse so I shouldn't have to feel guilty.  Right?

It all started off when my mom's computer died.  We ordered a new one for her, but in the interim I loaned her my laptop.  I do have a desktop, but that is a little difficult to transport.  My desktop is so painfully slow that browsing is almost impossible.  To do a blog is not my idea of a fun day.  Soooo....I now have my computer back and will be checking everyone out again.

Yesterday I spent the day with some fellow helping me with tech support to set up my mom's internet.  After two hours (most of it having him repeat what he just said - such as "e, like in Tom" ), he told me I would need to get a computer guy to come to the house to check it out.  Hello??????  It turns out that my mom has been paying for her DSL for five years but has been using an unsecured network because she could not get online with her DSL.  Yikes!  Long story short.....after four phone calls and promises that they would return calls (NOT) she has a new cable provider coming out tomorrow to set her up. 

In the computerless time that I have enjoyed (?) I have actually had a wonderful time cleaning and playing.  My ovens and refrigerators are now clean, the garage is cleaned.  Closets, drawers and cupboards are also cleaned.  It is amazing what can happen around here.  One would think I was "nesting" or something.  Thankfully...that is not the case.

May is always a busy celebrating month at our house.  We have two sons, two grandchildren and a DIL with birthdays this past week along with Mother's Day.  Everyone was here last Sunday to celebrate.  The guys took excellent care of us - cooking and cleaning up.  As usual, it was loads of fun and the weather was perfect.


The MOMS relaxing on Mother's Day.

A little sidewalk chalk coloring.

A little sidewalk chalk eating!!!

Is there more on the body than on the patio?????

Now....that's a BIG grapefruit!!!!!


Chasing bubbles.



One of my cacti.  It is stunning when it blooms.


These blossoms are about 8" in diameter.

Along with all the celebrations and cleaning, I was able to play a little in the sewing studio.


Results of the RWB no sew swap that I participated in.  I had a few minor changes due to poor instructions on my part and one fabric that was iron sensitive.



Jelly Roll Quilt along.

As well, I must share with you some of the winnings I have had lately.


This was from Terry.  I love the varigated embroidery floss!   Thanks, Terry.  

I have been eager to try some sashiko and this will be perfect.  Have you seen Joy's work.  It is amazing.

I was lucky enough to have my name drawn in this month's Schnibble project.  It is a signed copy of Carrie's new book and two charm packs to start my next Schnibbles project.  I can't wait.

I will be AWOL again until the end of the month as we have the joy of entertaining houseguests from England.  As I write this they are flying across the pond.  They are our dear friends and we will be enjoying them to the maximum while they are here.  They are looking for a little "sunshine on their backs" as they wrote.  Let's hope we can provide it for them.   I will be checking back with you at the end of the month.  Be good and have fun.....can you do both????

27 comments:

  1. You have been busy and yet, you are excused. Enjoy your time with friends.
    Hugs
    Nat

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  2. Your sure have been busy Mary while you were on A.W.O.L.
    Great times with the family,even (dare I say it) cleaning, catching up with all those beautiful projects. As well as lots of great post even from Aussie.

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  3. Wow looks like fun was had by all!! Nice wins!!!

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  4. nice to have you back, even if just for one day! Catch you next time, hope the sun shines for you.

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  5. Have a wonderful time with your friends, and...of course...take lots of photos. You certainly provided us with great photos on THIS post....love seeing the family...the kids are so adorable. That grapefruit is AMAZING!!! I love grapefruit but with my cholesterol med, I'm not permitted to eat it any longer. :(

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  6. Looks like you enjoyed some really fun family time~ got a giggle over the chalk taster. ;-) What a fun age! Great wins too~ congratulations! Enjoy your friends visit!

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  7. Love that cactus! And you're very welcome for the goodies I sent. Glad you liked them! I must get my quilt-along block made today. It's been waiting so patiently! LOL

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  8. You >HAVE< been busy !
    All in a good way!
    Take care
    Diane

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  9. It was fun having you here checking in with us today so we know your still around. :-) I have to agree that computer can steal so much time. Job well done on accomplishing so much! Now go...go enjoy those friends and I'll be here for your return!!

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  10. Great family pics as usual.
    I know I would get so many more chores finished if I was not blogging!!!

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  11. I will be jealous of their sun. Enjoy.

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  12. What a fun catch-up. I can only imagine how uch I could get done if I didn't spent so much time with this thing on my lap!

    That cactus is fabulous!

    England's had a wretched spring - worse than ours, I think, if possible. I hope your weather cooperates.

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  13. it is amazing how much time we spend on the computer as bloggers...it gets out of control sometimes....I am sooooooo in love with rwb quilt...now I want to forget everything else and go get it done....yours is wonderful!

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  14. I must say that you sure were busy.
    I hope that you have a great time with your friends.
    Can't wait to hear about the fun you have with them.
    Hugs.

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  15. You are so nice to lend your computer to your Mom. I would have separation anxiety. Enjoy your friends and I hope you do a lot of fun things.

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  16. Nice pictures from the mothes day. and the plants beautifull.
    I think the flower is the Noplaxochia. We have also one, but none flowers on it lats year. the plant is about 25 years old and in the winter he is always in home.
    It is no climate for him in the netherlands.maybe this year flowers??? You have also received nice gifts.
    Big hugs from Dorine

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  17. have a lovely time with your friends!
    love the cacti! love the quilting, and Mothers day was spent the way it should be RELAXING!
    love the gorgeous back yard too!

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  18. Thanks for stopping by my new blog!! so nice to see you again!! What a neat mother's day for all of you!! Love those quilts. You are quite talented!!
    Sandy

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  19. I loved that Jelly Roll Quilt, it is lovely! Glad you are back!

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  20. Thanks for entering my giveaway! Good luck!

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  21. hi mary,
    please have a look to my blog. you are one of the winner, congratulation :-).
    bianca

    http://blog.limetrees.de

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  22. Guess we all have been awol a bit lately! You sure got tons done though! I got more done outside then inside but I would rather be outside in the summertime as it is such a short season here.

    Happy Birthday to all! What a busy month birthday wise! So nice that you can do so much outside and no blackflies to contend with. They have started here but it's been pretty windy so that has kept them at bay somewhat.

    All your sewing projects are just gorgeous! I say this as my sewing machine collects dust in my sewing room.........

    That is some grapefruit your grandson is holding! That would feed a whole family! The kiddos look like they had a great time with the chalk. Mine like to grind it up and make pretend 'soup' out of it sometimes. Yuck.

    Your cacti is just spectacular! What huge blossoms!!! Yes, our crabapple trees are beautiful this year, must be from all of the rain. I too wish they would stay on all summer.

    Had to go to a graveside service yesterday back in my old hometown area. My next door neighbor passed away this past winter so had to wait till spring for the burial. I'm so glad they got a nice day, sunny, breezy and warm. Seemed nice to be back in my old stomping grounds but of course wish the circumstances had been different.

    Glad you got your Mom's internet taken care of. What a mess! I hope she has much better luck with this provider!

    I'm looking forward to Tenn. in a few weeks. I wish I could get some tan on my legs before then as they are still mayo white. We leave on the 10th of June.

    Well must get ready for church. May go fishing this afternoon if it isn't too windy. Hope you are having a wonderful time with your friends and that they are getting lots of sun on their backs!! xoxox

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  23. As usual, you are busy busy! I hope your Mom's computer gets set up right this time!. I love your cacti blooms! Have fun with your friends!

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  24. Oh I loved all of your pictures! Have fun with your friends! Looking forward to your next post. Oh and thank you for visiting me. It means the world to me. Columbine, huh? I will go ahead and add that name. Thanks

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  25. Wow! You've been very busy! And yes, you can stay in my hotel anytime! Actually I'm going to be in Southern California next week for my granddaughter's high school graduation. Where do you live? She's in San Diego

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  26. Gotta love sidewalk chalk, weather you eat it, wear it or just draw with it. Fun pictures looks like everyone had a good time.

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