Girl Time

I have had a lot of "girl time" this week and I have loved it. Now don't get me wrong, I get a lot of girl time every day, what with 5 daughters and all, but this week it was more like "other women in my ward" time which makes a big difference.

Thursday I went to my monthly book club. This is a book club that I've been going to since John and I got married and moved into this area. It used to be women in my ward, but since they rearranged our stake, it has become women in my stake that I hardly get to see otherwise. I think they have been doing this book club at least since the early 80's so it has been a while and most of the women are significantly older than me, most of them have grandchildren my age, but I love these women. They are so fun, and they will read anything and have read most things. And they always make me feel loved and appreciated, and most of all, they all make great desserts. This month we read a book called, The Persian Pickle Club about a quilting club, and this book really reminded me of my experience in this book club ( except we've never killed anyone).

Then Friday, one of my neighbors, who's in my ward and the book club, invited me to a quilting day at her house. They tie quilts and have lunch once a month. They have invited me the last two months, but I've forgotten about it. I also wasn't sure how they felt about my kids, because none of them have kids, just great grandchildren my kids' age. So I decided I would just stop by with my girls and see how things were going on my way to pick up my kindergartner. Well, they were super happy to see me, they found toys for the girls to play with, and the girls and I had such a great time that I was late to pick up Emma and later Kate and Mary because I forgot what time it was.

Later Friday I went to our ward's Fantastic Friday and again had a great time just talking to people. I didn't sign up for anything, I just signed up to help with the service quilts and I had a great time. I got to see and talk to lots of people that I don't normally see and it was really fun.

And then today I got to go visiting teaching to two wonderful ladies with my new great partner that I love already (who brought over her teenage daughter to watch my girls while we went). We chatted and got to know each other better and it was great.

I just was thinking tonight how blessed I am to know so many great women who want the best for me and are a real support in my life. I love Relief Society!! That's where I met all of these women.

And then tonight someone left about a month's supply of formula for us incognito. How great is that? My life is good and I should remember that when I get frustrated. And I should be better at calling other women when I'm having a hard time, and at reaching out to others. Anyway, I guess what I'm really saying is I'm grateful for girl time.

P.S. I love John for babysitting for most of these activities and letting me go and be with other women. He's a good guy and he was begging for an entry about him so this is for him.

Project Update #2

I've finished 3 more, which puts me at 35. I'm getting there. I've got a few I need to do this week for Halloween. They're not too hard.



#33: October's Block of the Month. I've really liked all these blocks. I love their relative simplicity and their colors. I've really liked this class.

#34-35: Hannah Montana skirts for Mary. Mary wants to be Hannah Montana for Halloween. We found her a wig and they had HM shirts on clearance at Wal-mart, so I told her I would sew up these little skirts to wear over her jeans. She's pretty excited about it. She'd be even more excited if I could figure out a way for her to wear them without jeans. I saw a slip somewhere for her that might work. Who knows?!! (side note: Mary is our fashion guru and always has been. I swear for months one time she would only wear pink, and then she moved onto only wearing skirts and dresses. She has to have her hair just so and her clothes just right. There's no talking her into wearing things just because they fit her if she doesn't like them. I happened to be watching Project Runway for just a few minutes the other night, and Mary saw it and was absolutely fascinated. I could be in trouble here.)

Project update

I'm up to 32 so far which puts me about on par for success. So here are a few pictures.

Projects 4-18 were projects to donate to my girls' classes at school for their fall festival fund raising thing. Their classroom themes for donation were dress-up and baby stuff. So there are 5 capes, and 3 sets of flannel blankets, burp rags and bibs. They were all very fun to make. And for the flannel stuff, I used flannel that my mom gave me like 5 years ago and I've never used (getting rid of some of that stuff that John would like gone to make him happy).

Project 19 was another quilt block for my class. It turned out pretty well.

Project 20-31 were making my friend's daughters I-spy quilts. They had several embroideries and iron-on stuff so every little bit counts. They turned out really cute and Lily really wanted to keep at least one. ( I cut out one for her while I was doing it so she soon will have one of her own.)

And Project 32, I fixed Mary's awesome cape that Kaylynn made for her. Her letter was coming off. She was very happy that I "finally" fixed it.