Happy Memorial Day

It was a very nice little Memorial Day parade.  A few American Legion posts.  A few scout troops.  A very large band,  A few emergency vehicles.  Some thrown candy.  Maybe 15 minutes.  Perfect.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

All Star

Aaron's All Star game yesterday finished before the rain.  One inning at third base, one pitching, one catching.  It will be fun today to hear his recap of the game.  The temperature was in the high 80's.  I know that when the catcher's gear came off his face was very red.  That boy loves baseball.  And football.  Even basketball, most days.  But not soccer.

Rain again this afternoon.  Perhaps tomorrow morning early I can work outside in the flower beds.  I did get a plant Friday.  It looked healthy with yellow spikes and that was good enough for me.  Once in the car, though, it smelled suspiciously like spearmint.  I may plant it in the pot to keep it from spreading all over. 

My grands have a very practical grandmother.  For their graduation gifts, I got them both swim suits.  Actually, Nora hasn't picked hers out yet.  Aaron's was easy.  He said he wanted black.  I found charcoal swim trunks and a charcoal rash guard with black color block.  He was happy.  I would not even take a chance on something for Nora.  Either size or style.

The Reds won today in Chicago.  Six and one half games out of first, but in the basement.  I was looking at the standings in other divisions.  In any of the other divisions they would not be in the basement.  So, there's that.

Sewing Machine Accident

Last week when unpacking from retreat, I accidentally brushed against this sewing machine with a heavy bag and it fell out of the cargo area of my car.  In my defense, the car was parked on a slope.  The machine bounced on the driveway and there was a horrible rattle.

It took several days for me to try it out, and in the meantime I talked myself into believing that the rattle came from the accessory tray flying apart and the metallic feet and throat plate bouncing on the concrete.

In fact, that is what happened.  The machine is undamaged, the hard cover is undamaged, and all the accessories are back in place.  This is not a computerized machine, and I'm not sure the end result would have been as lucky if it were.  I'm feeling very lucky.

Someone asked me if I had another machine.  Ummm, yes.  More than one.  This is the one I like to travel with, because it is a wonderful but less expensive machine.  It has lived to travel another day.

Yoga Bag

Background:  Mother's Day flowers 

Foreground:  Yoga bag made from Amy Butler's free Nigella Yoga Bag pattern.  Originally meant to be a Christmas gift.  Enough said about that.  The bag is lined, as is the three-part pocket along the bottom.  The pattern is really wonderful.

This morning was my visit with the nurtitionist, the topic was protein.  I learned that I should be eating 15 grams of protein per meal, which gives me a goal.  If I sprinkle a serving of walnuts on my breakfast yogurt, I will be there.  She also urged me to try some fish other than salmon, since I don't eat meat.  I'm reluctant, but I'll give some of the flavored packaged tuna a try.

Three days of quilting retreat plus a lovely day out means that I am tired today.  I had big plans of weeding, but may not get a lot of that done.  Aaron is playing baseball this afternoon, and I'm sitting that one out.  Yesterday he was a sick kid, fever and sore throat.  No strep.  Kids can be quick to recover.  

Band Concerts

Nora's last middle school band concert was last week.  It was bitter sweet - she enjoyed middle school band a LOT.  I'm a fan of flowers after a concert.

On Thursday we were driving back from her bassoon lesson when she said, "I forgot, tonight is the high school band concert."  I asked her if she wanted to go but she said no, none of her friends were going.  Then a few miles down the road she said that she really did want to go.

We got there just at the right time and the concert was great.  Two concert bands combined plus two symphonic bands.  I found that I enjoyed the music and decided that I could count it as an Artist Date, even though I did have company.

Today is a different kind of day.  I'll be picking up Aaron to take him to his basketball game while their dad takes Nora to her softball game.  I find that the idea of a basketball game in the midst of baseball season is a nice one.

And yes, Aaron will be in middle school band next year, playing the trombone.  I'm not sure what tipped him in that direction, but he is looking forward to it.

Finished

The last picture of the sidewalk.  It is finished.  Good job, Sarah.

The sun is not shining bright on my old Kentucky home this morning, but there are many hours before the race.  I plan to watch this afternoon, I enjoy the back stories as much as the race.

I made a trip to the small local quilt shop for more fabric for a yoga bag.  I've had the fabric hanging around since Christmas but I was never happy with the pattern.  Now I've found a pattern I can be happy with, complete with lining and stabilizer.  And, no, Joanne, they do not have the fabric line you are looking for.

Since I was just a block away, I had lunch at Colonel De's restaurant.  The veggie burger and Brussels sprouts, both of which they do really well.

Rain Again

Yes, this is Sarah's project, I checked.

Rain again today, lots.  The weeds are growing quickly.  My neighbor called yesterday, said that the big store was marking down lots of plants.  I didn't go.  She came home with lots.

Today Steph and I had lunch with Aaron at his school.  Probably the last time, next year he will be in middle school and this year is almost finished.

I know I'm his grandmother, but I think he is so handsome.

Project Continues

Sarah's picture from today.  At the North Carolina Arboretum.  I can't say for sure that she is working on this project, but I'm guessing that she is.  I'm enjoying watching artistry in the building of the walkway.

It's supposed to be a stormy afternoon.  Possibly hail.  Nora's last softball game will probably be cancelled, and she is hoping that it is because she got acrylic nails for the dance tomorrow.  If it's cancelled, they will turn in their uniforms and that will be that.

I am enjoying all the prom pictures.  The anniversary pictures.  It's the season.  My neighbor's daughter got engaged in a pretty park last night.

This spring has been so lovely.  We don't always get spring here, often it goes from winter to summer.  The blooming trees and flowers have been amazing.

  

Am I The Only One?

This isn't my picture, it's my daughter Sarah's, but I love it.

It's the day for picking up and putting away things that have been hanging around and should't be.  The last of the Christmas orphans that suddenly reappear long after Christmas.  The towels from the pre-Easter visit.  Winter coats put away.  Finally, puzzle glue on Nora's puzzle put together at New Year's.  Tiny Easter quilt in the kitchen swapped out.  The sewing bag from last week's retreat brought in from the car.  

Except, oh, no, I see one Christmas item hanging out on my desk.  A fun, late purchase.  It's tiny so I guess it can stay for awhile.

Am I the only one who lets things get behind?  Sometimes it feels that way.  I looked outside and saw the garden flag with snow and cardinals.  That's just asking for weather trouble.