Long Absence

I came down with a cold two weeks ago.   I start to think I am getting better, then I feel worse again.   I have never had seasonal allergies, but I'm beginning to wonder if this is a reaction to the pollen flying around.   Between being sick and a storm of activity, the blog was the first to go for a while.

Two weekends ago, I went to three hour photography workshop.   Jason gave it to me for Christmas and I was finally able to clear a Saturday to go.   I loved it.  It was taught by Jimmy Lloyd.   Here he is:

I knew right after the class started that I would get a lot out of it.  Jimmy Lloyd knows how to teach.   Many people can be gifted at their craft, but they don't have the first idea how to communicate that information.  When you take a class with someone like that, you are wasting your time.    Jimmy Lloyd shoots for the Houston Chronicle and teaches at Alvin Community College.   I felt confident enough to take my DSLR off automatic and put it on manual.   It is a bit scary and overwhelming at times, but I am determined to get better.   I can see a difference.   This was my favorite picture I took.  

This was my 2nd favorite.

While I was at the photography class, Jason rented a trencher and started a drainage project in our backyard that he has been dreaming about for 3 years.   The trencher was tough to mess with, but I know he loved every second.   He was pretty sore after fighting it all day.   My son even took a turn operating the trencher.   It was the highlight of his day!

Last weekend, we went to Longview to celebrate my Grandmother's 75th birthday.  It was nice to see family that I had not seen in a long time.  I made my grandmother a quilt from my Dad's clan.   Here it is:

We were only able to stay for lunch because my kids were singing in all three services on Sunday.   As we were heading home, we passed antique store after antique store.   I finally said to Jason, "Man, I wish we could stop and browse."    He turned the car around and we headed back to the most recent one we passed.   After poking around for a while, I decided to buy a pretty rough looking rhinestone pin.   It was $3.   I figured if it cleaned up, I had hit the jackpot.   If it didn't, I only wasted $3.   I stuck it in my ultrasonic ring cleaner when I got home.  It is incredible how nicely it cleaned up.   I attached it to a headband and wore it to church on Sunday.  The picture is not the greatest.   The lighting in my house it terrible for picture taking.

We also stopped at the VF store in Livingston.   I was excited to find t-shirts for $.87.   They were long and soft.   I bought a couple of extra to cut up and use as embellishments on the others.  

This week, I am hoping to catch up on all this stuff that has slid by the past two weeks.  I got this quilt book I'm using to make my niece's quilt.   I'm so excited to start it.   Fabric shopping will be on the agenda this week as well.  I am also planning my daughter's 7th birthday party and the art curriculum for preschool VBS.  Time for violin practice for my son now.   Playtime is over.