Archive of posts with category 'Family'
Another post today just because I’m still so pleased for having upgraded this site over the weekend.
Jun 28, 2020 Newest QuiltJust finished my last quilt. I made a very short video of me making it. I would have made it longer, but my laptop is out of disk space and it was too much trouble to go through and delete a bunch of stuff. I also wanted to keep it under five minutes because I don’t know that quilting is all that interesting to watch. The quilt wasn’t done in time for my niece’s shower, but it was finished before the baby arrived.
May 10, 2020 Congrats Em!My niece graduated from IU, but didn’t have a ceremony. So her Mom solicited videos from a bunch of people and we put them together to make a video for her.
Jan 19, 2020 2020 Projects #1 & #2I’ve written more about these in my journals, but I thought I’d post a picture of my first two projects for the year. I made a new house number for my Mom and I made a calendar for my sister. I actually added a calendar hanger to this, but forgot to take a picture of it before I gave it to my sister.
Dec 1, 2019 Latest QuiltI just finished a baby quilt for my brother and brother-in-law. John’s friend Richard picked out the great material. I’m fairly certain I would have gone with more plain, solid colors. So it was great that he picked such great colorful ones.
Sep 7, 2019 A Toy for My NephewMy nephew really likes light switches, so I made him this toy out of junk that I found in my house. He does know the word “hot”, so I think he’ll understand not to touch the bulbs. If he doesn’t, I may have to cover them with something or use a different bulb. He’s a smart kid, so I’m not too worried about it.
Jun 15, 2019 My Latest Big ProjectMy cousin retired and she really likes Dr. Seuss. I came up with an idea for a gift and then I came up with the idea of me making a movie of me making the gift. And then it sort of evolved. This is the final gift.
Jan 1, 2019 Successful GiftsUsing my fancy new sewing machine, I made these bags for my cousins for Xmas.
Feb 29, 2016 February Check-InI’m going to say that February was the worst month that I’ve had in a very long time. The main thing that happened is one of my favorite people in the entire world passed away. Short of something happening to my Mom, nothing could hurt as much. Along with my parents, for my entire life, my Aunt Lu was around. I will think of her on every Fourth of July (her favorite holiday) and Christmas Eve because we always went to her house. I often said she was hilariously funny, often unintentionally so. I loved going to visit her to hear about family members I never knew and what her life was like growing up. Since we knew she was sick, my siblings and I all made sure to visit her as often as we could during the month. She always loved to see us and I felt lucky to be there. If I could make people feel a quarter as good around me, as I felt around her, I’d be pretty happy. One of the last things she gave me was the dollhouse that someone made for her when she was a little girl. It has needed some work for a while and she gave it to me to fix it up. But only if I have fun doing it. If it’s not fun, I shouldn’t do it. I hope that I can get it into decent enough shape that I can donate it someplace where kids can play with it. I know she’d be happy if kids were playing with it.
Nov 27, 2015 Black FridayToday is “Black Friday”, which means that I’m spending it relaxing after hosting Thanksgiving yesterday. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I believe yesterday was quite enjoyable for everyone. The wild turkey got deplucked and turned out ok. My turkey breast roast, made out of a bunch of pieces, was good. The roasted sweet potatoes were good. And as always the desserts were finished off without a problem.
Sep 7, 2015 George’s ChallengeMy 10 (about to be 11) year old nephew George told me that he has to read 40 books this school year. Each book needs to be at least 200 pages long. He was not looking forward to this and thought that nothing could possibly be worse. Since we are a very competitive family, I told him that it was easy and I could do it no problem. Not only that I could read 40 books twice as long as the ones he was reading. Result of my boast is that I now have to read 40 books by the end of the school year. Each of my books has to be at least 400 pages long. Stupidly, I didn’t get the details of his assignment before I agreed to this. After we shook on it, I found out that I don’t necessarily get to choose all the books, but that they have to be in some specific genres. So, here’s what I have to read this year:
Dec 27, 2014 Making Xmas Gifts FunThis year I wanted to do something different for Xmas gifts. I hate just buying gifts to buy someone a gift. I want my gifts to be unique and hopefully liked. I decided that I was going to make my own gifts this year. And after watching this video, I decided that I was going to make stationery for people.
Apr 6, 2014 Vacation!Drove out to Cape Cod and Boston with my sister this past week. She attended the National Science Teachers Association conference and I just went to hang out. We drove so we could take our bikes and do a little biking while we were out there. We both also signed up for 30 Days of Biking, so we had to ride each day. The drive out was very long, but we had really great weather, which was nice. We were also in Cape Cod in the off season, so there weren’t very many people around. The disadvantages were that most things were still closed, but that was ok.
Mar 29, 2014 DrywallFinally got the pictures up from the drywalling party. They are here. I owe my niece Abby a movie for being a fabulous photographer. Words cannot express my gratitude to everyone who came and helped out. I love you all more than you can possibly know. I got most of you to sign the back of one of my cabinets to be a part of my kitchen forever. I’ll try to catch those who didn’t sign it before I hang the cabinet, but if I don’t it’s ok. You all are the people who mean the most to me in the world.
Mar 27, 2014 InsaneIt’s been a while since I posted, but not for lack of activity. In fact, I can’t remember a time when I have been so busy. Things got so much out of control that I think it contributed to me getting sick earlier in the week. So I decided to take some action and start saying no to some things.
Jan 1, 2014 Xmas with the FamilyJust got the Xmas photo from my bro. We look pretty good.
Dec 7, 2013 Froze My Butt OffJulie and I did the Santa Hustle this morning. It was under 20 degrees and freakin’ freezing. Here’s a few pictures I took when I could get my fingers out of my gloves.
Sep 21, 2013 The ChallengePaul proposed that I host Thanksgiving again. Will I be able to do it at my house? This is going to require a kitchen. Here’s what mine looks like now.
Aug 6, 2013 Family Trip to MichiganFinally got around to posting all the pictures I took on our trip to Michigan. They’re here.
Jul 7, 2013 Me and Mari
Yesterday was the annual Run for Hope that I’ve been doing the past few years. This year, as usual, I was racing my now 13-year old nephew Jack. He beat me last year by seven minutes and my goal was to get that down to five this year.
May 25, 2013 My SaturdayI offered to drive my Mom and my aunt anywhere they wanted. They chose to go to Bohemia National Cemetery. It didn’t take too long and we found what we were looking for.
Nov 7, 2012 FunI can’t believe that my nieces and nephews don’t like coming to my house because I have no games. I let them play with real tools like drills, hammers, saws, etc. That’s way more fun. Here’s Abby using a drill.
Jun 5, 2012 Transit of VenusWe had perfect weather to see the transit of Venus today. I took my telescope and solar filter down to Mark’s house and had some fun with Jack and Abby. They both have now seen the transit and know that they won’t see it again, unless they live to 117 and 113 respectively.
Congratulations to Emily and Tori on their graduation!
I was feeling pretty good going into the 5K this morning, but thanks to the turkey below, I have now found myself on the downward slope of life.
May 28, 2012 Fun WeekendThis Memorial Day weekend was quite a good one. I got the holes in my floor all patched. Now I just have to work on the section that I’m replacing with new wood. We had beautiful weather for Bike the Drive on Sunday. And today, we had a nice barbeque and birthday celebration for my Mom. Included were my brother John bringing his new motorcycle around and giving rides to all the kids and my Mom.
Jan 3, 2012 Happy Birthday Aunt Lu!My Aunt Lucille celebrated her 81st birthday just before the new year. Happy birthday to her!
Sep 14, 2010 Best.Corn.Ever (from Google Cache)Originally posted August 20, 2008
Sep 14, 2010 The Little House All Alone (from Google Cache)Originally posted June 6, 2009
Nov 22, 2007 Nap TimeIt’s been a great Thanksgiving so far. I got up this morning and ran in the Turkey Trot in Lincoln Park. My goal was to finish in under and hour and though I walked the last 100 yards or so (because I was sure I was going to throw up), my official time was 59:50. (My ipod showed 59:40, so I may have to recalibrate it.) Then we went to the Museum of Science and Industry to look at the Xmas trees and I thoroughly enjoyed a special exhibit they had on maps. Back to my Mom’s to eat and now, my brother’s family has left to go to his inlaws. It’s now 5pm and most of us are taking naps. I love this holiday.
Oct 5, 2007 Happy Birthday to Me!Today is my birthday, and the annual Mary tradition is to not work, so I’m keeping that one today. I had great plans to go and do something fantastic, but those plans all fell through. So, I’m going to do my usual thing and go downtown to hang out. I also want to go to this new store:
Aug 22, 2006 Second Annual “No Wuss” PicnicToday is the Second Annual No Wuss Picnic. A little picnic with my niece Emily and nephew Jack where we ride our bikes to a park and have some fun before they head back to school. It’s called “No Wuss” because participants HAVE to ride their bikes to get to the picnic. No one in cars are allowed because they’re wusses. The weather is beautiful and it should be fun. And my other niece Abby, who is two will also be attending for the first time this year. She can come because she will arrive on the back of her mom’s bike. I’ll post pictures if I remember to take my camera. Here are the pictures.