Quilting Here I Come…

Well I’ve done it. I signed up for My First Quilt Workshop at The Old Craft Store. It’ll be one day a week for the next 4 weeks and at the end I’ll have completed a small quilt – big enough to wrap the first grandbaby in (whenever he/she may come) or to use as a sofa throw or wall hanging.
Another reason I need my “nest” empty now, I need the room for all my stuff and the kids are way overdue on leaving - I plan on making one room my guest/library room and the other will be my sewing/scrapbooking/all-around craft room. Again don't understand those ladies who get depressed over having time to finally do what they want. What did you want to do before you became a mom - do it now. Life is short, bring the experience around to a positive light.
I nixed the idea of inviting my mom, she’d want me to pick her up, etc. and I’ll barely have time to get there from the office before class starts. Plus I don't think her sewing machine is one of those you can tote around and we need to bring our own machine for this one. I’ll also need to stock up on Slim Fast or something to drink on the way there as dinner will be out of the question and by the time I get out of there it will be too late to eat (don’t like to eat past nine at night). I’ll have some me time (hard to come by in a full house) and perhaps make some new friends, yikes and I’ll have to take a change of clothes, not too comfortable to be sewing in my work clothes. Hopefully this doesn’t turn out to be more stressful than fun. It is only one day a week though for four weeks. I can handle that.
Once I’ve learned the proper quilting process, my next project will be to make a t-shirt quilt out of all those old t-shirts that I’ve kept for the kids - T-shirts from camp, girl scouts, boy scouts, sports, school spirit, and vacation souvenir t-shirts.

Machismo.....

As much as i've put in every effort for my son NOT to have that stereotypical characteristic of the latin male - it has done no good. For he is more "macho" than his father ever was....(or used to be). Webster defines machismo as "a strong sense of masculine pride. An exaggerated sense of power and strength." At 22 the boy only thinks he knows the meaning of manhood - unfortunately we can only control what they learn and live at home and not the additional knowledge and experiences he "gains" from those he chooses to hang out with and befriend. In additon I am an Aries and he is Taurus, we constantly lock horns on many issues but most especially in the treatment of his sisters, and other female family members. This is causing great stress and conflict with his girlfriend. Last night we may have had a breakthrough and hopefully he will begin counseling to learn to change. I think he may finally understand how his attitude and relationships can make or break his future.....

Ignorance......

I attended a seminar the other day where the speakers where the top earners at a leading wholesale distribution company - one lady proceeded to speak of how she expanded her business in mexico and the people she helped there. She then proceeded to mimic a mexican accent (to everyone else's amusement), explain how she had to remove all her jewelry while traveling to avoid being mugged (like we have no muggers here in u.s.a.) and that the person she sponsored had to conduct business literally under a table at a restaraunt while the rebels were invading oaxaca! She also went on to say that she had been offered pidgeon or iguana to eat and was surprised when she tasted a dish to find that it was worms and grasshoppers.....all this "hardship" she had to endure to grow her business to where it is today and be the success that she had become....Her tale was not done respectfully but in jest to get a laugh out of the audience. Why do people feel they have to make fun of what they do not know or understand? if mexico is such a third world country as she made it out to be, with rebellions and the like then why are their immigrants denied help and legal status when it is given to other countries such as el salvador, certain places from africa, etc. (of course this is another topic, i digress.) Her speech gave only emphasized that she helped that person for her own monetary gain and not out of the kindness of her heart, which is what she would have everyone believe. If only that person knew how she had been mocked and made fun of in front of thousands of people....this woman also showed how ignorant she really is and lacking of understanding for the culture and environment of others. I recently came across a wonderful web site (www.postcrossing.com) where you can exchange postcards with others from all over the world!! Through this site you can communicate and learn about others, their likes, dislikes, hobbies, their cities, families....it is such a wonderful endeavor....i equate this effort to be what perhaps those that started the olympics wanted for their endeavor - to learn about others, communicate and have others go away with new understanding and friendships.....check it out....