Experiencing Fair Queen

Monday night was the Fair Queen contest here in Shippensburg, Pa.  How nerve racking it was for me. I can only imagine how Nicole was feeling.  I did my best to not show how I was feeling. Let's just say I didn't sleep well the night before.

It rained in buckets during the day and there was a chance for it in the evening.  I went to set up our chairs earlier in the day.  I didn't get there early enough though!  My goodness, half the hill was already filled! So I chose what I could.  People that come to watch this every year, know the routine lol.  When we got there it started to rain when we sat down. I did bring umbrella's and I brought towels to put on our chairs, since I knew they would be wet from the morning.  Luckily, the rain was short lived and stopped  before the pageant started. 

The theme this year was a jungle theme.  Here is the stage before the girls came out.

The girls had a short dance routine to Jungle Love.  Nicole is the one on the left in the back row.

Now left in the front.

Her Dad walking her out and across the stage as they announced her.....

A hug for good luck :)

Nicole telling a little bit about herself. I was on the edge of my seat. She did so well!

All 19 contestants!

Nicole's question that she answered so naturally and from the heart. She got a great applause :)

Nicole did not end up winning and that was fine with her. She is now free to enjoy the rest of the fair week with her friends.  She experienced it and enjoyed it a lot.  I cannot tell you how many strangers came up to us after it was all over and told us that she deserved to be in the top 5. (we thought so too :)). And how many strangers came up to us and told her how beautiful she looked and how her gown they thought was the pretiest up there.  I told Nicole if there was a category for the prettiest gown, she may have won that with all who said so lol.  I did not get a shot of the girl who did win, but her name was Hannah.  You could tell she wanted it bad!  

We are so Proud of Nicole and her achievements over this past year. She has really stepped out and tried new things.  A great outlook to an awesome future ahead.

We would also like to thank my friend Donna for lending us this dress (for the second time!).  Her daughter Dani wore this to her Prom and Nicole wore it a couple years ago to a Prom and now this. Donna was happy it was getting used!

No matter what, she is our Queen ~~~

George and I walked to the fair last night to check out how the fair entries did and to have some fair food for dinner. Hard to eat healthy at the fair, so I'm not even going to think of it this week.  Too much to enjoy, but I am being sensible :).   I did see that I won first place on my horse rug and second place on a punch needle piece I did.   What was really exciting was that one woman who hooked a cat head in fine cut and had scripture around the border of the rug won first place AND Best of Show!!  First time I have seen a rug take Best of Show at this fair. It is up against big quilts.  So Congrat's to Thelma!! Can't wait to see her and congratulate her!

Off to get ready to meet up with my friend Donna for lunch at the Fair during her lunch break from work. Hoping to come home and relax this afternoon. 

Road trip.....

Yes a road trip. But it wasn't mine, not this time.  Some of the girls from the Brandywine Guild decided to take a road trip to Grant Street Woolworks on Thursday!  When I pulled up to the shop, they had just gotten there.  I didn't have my camera then, but did get one when they were leaving.  This is what they came in... A 15 passenger van!  Linda and I were cracking up. They were in there like sardines. Tracy is in the front seat. Her husband volunteered to drive.

Look how happy they are after visiting and shopping :).

And just LOOK how far back the seating went LOL. 

I have a feeling these rug hookers new what they were looking for. They went right to the wool. Imagine that?

How fun to watch people look for the right color and fondle the wool. Wool always feels so nice :)

You'll have to forgive me for not remembering and pointing everyone out by name. I did take their names down while checking them out with their purchases, but impossible for me to remember each of them. Tracy is on the left here.

Joanne was happy to see someone she knew. Louise came on the trip too.

We sooo enjoyed having all the women from Brandywine.  Loved meeting each and everyone of you. I'm hoping we all run into each other again at the Biennial in October.  And we certainly hope you come back to visit again!  Remember the all day hook in on each Thursday :). Would be wonderful to have you come hook with us.  I hope you enjoyed the rest of your road trip after you left, and that you had a safe trip back.  A big thank you to Tracy's husband for being the driver :).

During the day, we had our regulars come and do some hooking.  Diane is busy on her rug. She is planning her checkerboard colors now. 

Sherri and Caroline came to hook during the day.  Sherri usually comes in the evening.  Caroline does some beautiful rugs.  She is working in a #9 cut.

A close up of the rug she designed. It was a rabbit, but she changed it. Love her color choices!  So good to see you Caroline, and I hope you come to hook with us again :).

Linda had us cracking up over her commercial.  She was giving us the low down on her "slim-slow" that she likes to drink.

Everyone listening to her lol.

Nancee chose her wools for the birds in her rug. I think Joanne has a shot of the bird done. Such a great choice!

Jackie and Bonnie came later on.  Here is Jackies rug. Mm, mm, mm....... Love her colors! Her and Linda were discussing what else she was going to use.

And Bonnie is working on her leaves.  Moving along nicely Bonnie!!

A long day for sure, and by this shot when we were packing up to go home, I would say I looked a tad tired.....

The next morning I had dye group at Joan's.  We worked our buns off that day finishing up gluing on our swatches to our cards. As a group, we did a lot of dying within the last several months. We will be using these swatches in our next project. I haven't gotten a picture yet of the pattern, but will share it when I get to starting it. 

Louise and Jewel working.  Nancy was at the table working, and didn't get a shot of her :(.

I didn't get my camera out fast enough to take a picture of all the wool. But here is what was left.  We were taking turns picking out which colors we wanted in our piece.  How awesome to dye all this and then share it with each other. Love this group :) !

Along with these busy few days, I was busy hooking on Saturday.  I am determined to get as many pieces hooked while I'm on vacation this week.  Haven't taken any pictures of that yet. It's still on the frame.  Sunday I went to church and then took my daughter out for lunch for passing her Crew Chief test with the EMT.  I promised her it last week, but our schedules never worked out.  We did a little running around. She needed to find something nice to wear to her interview this morning for the Fair Queen.  And also a shirt for the dance all the girls do in the beginning.  It's going to be a fun night. I just hope it cools off a bit! 

My son also came last night for me to hem a couple pair of pants for him.  Never realized how short his legs are! I will be  doing a lot of hemming for him lol.  Nice to spend some time chatting while I was working on them.

This morning I am taking over my pieces to enter them in the Fair.  Then I will come home and clean up around here. Oh, if you could see my hooking mess!  Pieces here, pieces there.  I'm sure all you hookers go through the same thing. Please tell me you do lol.....   I might even be able to get in some hooking this afternoon. And then off to see Nicole in the Fair Queen Pageant :).  I'm hoping each of the 19.. yes 19 girls have a wonderful time. What an experience.  I know I would never be able to do something like that.  I can't wait to see who wins!!!  Nicole and I were talking about it, and it's going to be a tough one. They are ALL great girls...   I'm sure I'll have pictures to share soon.

Enjoy your week everyone, and I hope you can find that bit of shade, or air conditioning to keep you cool.

Hump Day already? And important shop news..

Wow, Wednesday already? Really?  Seriously?  Amazing.   After a funfilled and busy weekend, I met up with Joanne on Monday at the Hayloft Fabric store in Morgantown Pa. What fun! I had a gift certificate from Joanne that was from my Birthday last year.  Guess I'm still celebrating LOL.  What fun!  You can seriously spend hours in there, but I kind of knew what I wanted. I will be making some pillows of punch needle and needed some backings.  These are the ones I picked out. The bold print is definitely bold, but I was drawn to the colors. Not sure what i'll do with that one yet.

From the Hayloft, Joanne took me to Old Peddler Wools that is going out of business.  I was able to pick up some that I knew Linda didn't have at Grantstreet.  I did tell her about them though, and she will be carrying them shortly.  She ordered them yesterday.  When I got home, I had to see how a couple of them overdyed.  Loved the results.  The picture is a little off. It's a bit more deeper than this. But very pleased.

Joanne did all the driving (thanks again Joanne) and took me to quite a few places.  One thrift store used to be a furniture store. Oh how funny.  Looked like a department store when you walked in. Everything so organized lol.  We also stopped at Pizza Hut for lunch. Yum, haven't had pizza in quite a while.. been watching what I eat. Joanne has a picture on her blog of me with an outfit that we saw in an antique store. Too darn funny. I swear this girl is going to keep me in stitches with what she finds for me to wear to my Son's wedding lol.  She's really starting to SCARE me lol.  We really had a good time, and I had a nice drive home. Hardly any traffic at all. 

Ok, about the announcement for Grant Street Woolworks.   I wanted to post it today (a thought from Joanne..thanks!) because Next week (July 25th-29th) the shop will be closed.  Linda will be away and she is shutting it down.  Soooo, if you are in need of any wool, backing, patterns, dyes, etc., stop on in today or come to the hook in tomorrow and pick it up.  You'll be set then to sit in doors next week for the heat wave and you can hook till your hearts content.  That's what I plan on doing :).  Sure hoping it rains though, we certainly need it.  Yet another reason to stay indoors!

Hope everyone is finding relief from this heat. I so worry about the elders who have no air conditioning,  and the animals that I see wandering around outside.  It has to come to an end soon... I'm hoping!

Although every year at the Shippensburg Fair, we always get storms that week.  So next week we might get some rain!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and I hope to see some of you tomorrow!!

Updates ~~~

Last week was somewhat of a blurr.  Lots going on right now and trying to keep things straight.  One is keeping my medicine straight. Have to adjust it again which means taking one dose one day and another dose the next.  I've got a nice calendar book (thank you Sharon) to keep these days straight. A daily pill box helps too. (started using one of those a loooong time ago when the brain became more and more foggier lol)  It will get straightened out one of these days!

The week at the shop went very fast.  Then Thursday came.  Another great turnout.  Even had a gentleman stop back in the afternoon, and I had him sitting and pulling loops!  Before he left that night, he bought a pattern and will be back to start picking his colors either next week, or the week after. Looking forward to having him back. 

Nancee has completed more on her rug. Just lovely!

Margo too. I'm anxious to see how the triangles are coming out for her. She's picked out some wonderful colors.

Genny finished the rug she is giving to her son Josh for his wedding which was yesterday. They had such beautiful weather. Can't wait to hear all about it!  Josh drew the pattern up for her.

Jill taking a break for some dinner. She got quite a bit done on her next flower.

Louise came with Willa and Tanya to spend some time with us.  Louise does such nice work on her penny rugs. She is making some stockings for Colonial Day.

Tanya was using up some of her worms to create some small mats.

And Willa creating some pieces too for Colonial day.

My pile is getting bigger on pieces I will have to finish off soon.  I'm just trying to keep on moving so I can get as much done as possible.

Friday morning we had someone come and power wash the house. Really needed it. It looks wonderful now, even the concrete on the front porch and the walk up to it. Wow, didn't realize how bad it was. Happy to say that the bird nest  with babies on the front porch nestled on top of a wreath I have hanging on the brick held up just fine. Momma bird was watching tentatively while he cleaned around it. It was the only thing I couldn't move off the porch.   When he left, I had some errands to run which took a bit of time, but it was such a beautiful day. I didn't mind being out in it.  
Our friends down the street called George and I over later on in the evening to sit and have a drink with them. It was a nice relaxing evening.

On Saturday, I was up early and out of the house by 9:00 to go meet up with my friend Beth to celebrate her Birthday which was a few weeks ago.  We had such a nice time shopping at some antique shops.  I could do that all day long!  In between, we stopped for lunch and then headed to one more before we were off to find the state park that was close by. Beth suggested that we bring something to work on for Colonial Day.  Sooo happy she suggested it.  What a beautiful day it was. We found one spot where we could sit under the roof and have all the shade. It was a memorial for Veterans.  Just sitting there, talking, listening to the birds and all the families in the distance.  What a beautiful day.  We were there for a couple hours.  Then it was starting to get late, so we headed back.  Stopped for some dinner and then went our separate ways.  Great day Beth!  Happy Birthday again......  :)

Here is what I brought home with me from our shopping.  The horse I picked up at Thymes Remembered. I had a balance on my gift certificate :).  I am thinking about using a tiny bit of shoe polish to tone him down just a bit and then will make a cover for his back. Haven't decided what yet.  Yo-yo's, wool applique piece, punch needle, rug hooked.  Will share once I decide.   The ticking is a yard of older thicker material. Nice aging to it, so it will come in handy for making things.  I know it's hard to see the smaller items, but the stoneware piece is made by my friend Becky Mummert. Was really happy to pick that one up!  It's a butter dish. Another small redware piece for setting around and the old board will be used for a punch needle piece.  Deciding what to do with the box. Love it!

Here is a piece I picked up not too long ago also.  Color is hard to see. I had to take some of these pictures with my phone. Charging my camera at the moment.   The color is a very nice old blue gray color.

Lots more going on in the next couple of weeks.  Our daughter is running for Fair Queen in our small town. Just saw a picture of her today in the paper along with all the other girls. So happy to see a lot of her friends doing it as well.  Win or not, I am just tickled that she is doing it. She is creating a lot of memories for herself!  Today she is off taking yet another test for EMT. She has passed her license, but this is for something else. I can't keep up with it lol.  Then tomorrow she will take her ASVAB test for the Coast Guard.  My stomach is tense for her, so I can just imagine how she is feeling.  So glad I'm not that young anymore.  Not sure if I could handle all the changes today from when I was younger.   Only advice I keep giving her is to keep her confidence level Up and do her best. What more can you ask of yourself? 

Tomorrow I am planning on heading out to Morgantown Pa to Finally use up a gift card that I got for my Birthday last year. Talk about making it last lol.  It is for a fabric shop called The Hayloft. Have been there before. It's awesome. I'm hoping Joanne can meet up with me.

Need to pick up around the house a bit, and then I think I'll be sitting for the rest of the night with my hook in hand! 

Enjoy the week ahead, and I hope there is relief for those who have not had rain. We haven't had much either, and could really use it.

Sweetness ~~~~~

July 12, 1986 was the day I met my husband.  So on Tuesday this week, I sent an email to George at his work wishing him a Happy 25 years since the day we met. I have tried each year on that day to say Happy Anniversary. Yes, I like to remember the day.  There have only been 2 times that I can remember where I missed it. Not bad!  We will celebrate 25 years of marriage next year!

When he came home from work on Tuesday, my back was to him. I was on the computer. Same routine as every day when I hear him come through the door. I say Hi, how was your day?  I heard him come in the room and when I turned around, he had this rose for me... Sweet?  I think so :)

That night before I said good night to him, I thanked him again for the rose.  Nicole had just come in and she said rose? Awwww.  I told her it was the day we first met.  She looked at George and said "you remembered"?  He said nooooooo, your mother always reminds me. LOL.  We laughed. 

Wishing you all some sweetness and laughter,  today and every day :)

Spoiled ?? You tell me ~~

Yesterday was the hook in at Grant Street.  A very slow morning but picked up later in the afternoon.  Linda went out of town with her husband, Daughter and grandkids.  I was there to take care of the shop.   Was quite the rush in the morning for me since I had to stop and get some bloodwork done. Just glad it's all taken care of and looking forward to hearing the results next week. I'm sure the medicine will have to be adjusted yet again...  To keep the dogs cool, Linda suggested I bring them upstairs. It was a good idea, because it sure was hot out yesterday!

It was just me and Barb for the longest time in the morning, and then Diane came. Barb had to leave for a bit, but came back.  During this slow time, I was able to do some hooking. Just some.... because it was this...... If I didn't have a frame in my lap at all times, he was in it lol.

And this........

And then wanting you to feel sorry for him (no he's not dead lol).

Look at those pitiful eyes. It's like he is saying "Rick, where are you??"   And don't' worry Linda, Beau was fine and dandy. Just not in view to get a picture. He was making himself comfortable :).

So before Joan could sit and hook, I made sure to get a wide shot of her rug. So little to go!  Go Joan, Go Joan!!!  :)

Nancee came with a sigh of relief. (not just for her, but for me too.)  So glad she is happy with the colors she chose.  And wow, does it look wonderful in person!

And what a friend Nancee is!  She had this fan at home that her husband picked up somewhere a long time ago.  It cracks me up!  The neck adjusts.  I actually have it on right now while I'm typing lol.  My daughter came in and just laughed at me.  Thanks again Nancee :)

Barb was working on a quilt top, but that was early in the morning and I wasn't taking many pictures at that time.  Nancy is working on a purse pattern of hers.  Using up scraps.

A close up of it.

Jill was able to make it and brought along her latest rug.  Love your new hair cut Jill !!

Joan was helping her pick out some wool for her next flower and giving her some tips on the color planning process.

Diane is really moving along on her pig and shamrocks.

Bonnie and Jackie came later but didn't bring anything to work on. 

But Jackie did bring along her finished piece. Another gorgeous piece!

Like I said I was able to do some hooking.  I started this pumpkin on the 4th of July but didn't get very far.  So I was able to finish it and the background and then start the other little piece before I finally quit for the evening.

After all, there was more of this left to do.....

yep, I'd say he was spoiled... Spoiled rotten!!   

Took the morning to play with the blog a little.  Changed some things up with it.  Maybe it will keep me motivated to post more?  We'll see....  

Hoping each of you can have some down time this weekend to do something you enjoy ~~~