This one is for Matt.

I've been writing this post in my head for the last few days. Each time I write this (in my head) I think about how much I need too share this. I have told Matt directly, but there are other people in the world who should know just how amazing my husband is on a regular basis.

Ps - I'm writing this in the car on the way to New York City. We are going out to lunch and then to see Rock of Ages on Broadway. My mom wants to edit this in case I say awful things about her. Ummmm yea right like I would let her see this before I post it.  Oh and she is pretty awesome so I don't know what she is worried about.

But back to Matt.

I normally complain that my husband is not the touchy-feely type. And it's true. He is NOT one to hug for no reason or want to cuddle. EVER. It's not that he hates me (because I love cuddling and touching all the time - not in the nympho way... just in the I-like-to-cuddle-all-the-time kind of way) it's just that he doesn't want that much touching, he likes to have his-own-space be near my-own-space. 

However, recently, he has more than made up for everything by being the most supportive person I have ever met. Including my mother. She didn't let me move to Philadelphia. But because of that I met Matt, so. Mom - I forgive you. But back to Matt.

Recently, we have survived a serious of unfortunate events. And no I will not tell you what they are. They are none of your business. Except I think everyone knows that we have been struggling to make a baby. And before you explain the logistics of baby-making, yes we know how, no we haven't been effective. So please don't share your baby-making success stories here. We are not even remotely interested in your sexcapades. We have run the tests on each of us and everything checks out. Neither one of us is to blame. Except maybe my uterus which just can't seem to orchestrate the whole event. Each month that we have not made a baby, we have been able to talk about it and return to our happy place of "maybe next month." There are tense moments but each time we have come out of them together. Matt is even making plans for Baby #2 and what we will do differently that will be better for me and my body.

Sometimes when I get upset, I cry. It is one way of dealing with my stress and letting it out. Matt is not a fan of any tear (unless they are because I was laughing so hard that I cry). Matt has a wonderful way of making me feel better instantly. He knows that I need a hug, and to be held for a quick period of time (shorter than my ideal time, but good nonetheless). And he talks me through it.

In short (hahaha) I love my husband. He is the best husband I could never have imagined him becoming. Through all the tough times, we have learned how to comfort each other. We have learned how to respect each other. We have become a better team because of it. 

Truly. I think that if we had gotten pregnant a year ago when we started trying, we would have been worse parents than we will be because of this past year. This past year has brought us together time and time again. In the face of hatred, stress, tears, and disappointment, we have prevailed. And I have Matt to thank for it.

QCC - a happy quilting update

Would you like an update on my most recent Quilting Course? The Complete Course? QCC - Quilting Complete Course. I thought you would.

I have gone to 4 classes so far. We have learned how to:

1. Start a project. Picking fabrics that coordinate to make a cohesive quilt. I started with three of my accent fabrics (because I had them and liked them). Then I found the blue jacks. The reds and polka dots were part of the same line as the jacks. It just seemed meant to be.
2. Straight cuts using the rotary blade. We made 9 Patches, and Strip Sets. Super easy. Just need to remember to measure after every step.   
3. Half Square Triangles (HST). We made the Anvil and Churn Dash. There are a lot of variations you can make using the HST. There are a few more that I want to try for this quilt. So more updates to come I guess.
4. Curves. Oh Geez.  This was new. Seriously new. And hard. Although, as Annette promised, it got much easier with practice. And then I saw a quilt top made entirely of polka dots, and kind of fell in love a lot. So originally I was saying never again. And now... not so much. It might be on the to make list for the summer.

The first three weeks were hard for me. Not because the content was hard, but because I knew a lot of it. I am not saying that I know everything there is to know. Because I don't. HELLO?!?!?! I just started quilting less than a year ago. I don't know half of everything there is to know.


I have learned a lot. I have also gotten a lot of patterns that I can make using each skill. The class has been great about showing me other things I can do using the same skills.

I am making a lot of blocks this weekend. There are a few variations I want to try that will add some pizazz to my quilt. I thought it was going to be a lap quilt, but if I add more blocks, it will get bigger. Same with my butt and cupcakes. Not that its relevant today... Focus. So check back in a few days for more pictures and blocks. Maybe even some how to's.

SUCCESS FOR MISTY!

As you know, we are in the middle of big, noisy, dirty, renovations. Matt is redoing the floors on the main floor. Bones is fine with it. He just stays clear of Matt and the noise. But Misty, my poor girl. HATES IT! Her anxiety is through the roof! She shakes and drools, and is impossible to console. There is nothing we have been able to do. It is sad and a mess. But mostly sad. And we have not found anything we can do to help her. In fact, last year she ran away from home when Matt broke out the nail gun. She jumped off the deck and Matt found her on her way to the grocery store. And she wouldn't get in the car with him. It sounded like a dog abduction to me.

Anyways. I came home from work today (like I do) and Matt said he was going to start ripping out the tile (that I love!!!) in the kitchen. So the dogs and I were on our own. We had to fend for ourselves and survive! Like in the jungle. That's how it feels to Misty. The last time he was doing work, we went outside and lay in the sun on the porch. But today. It is POURING! Huge, heavy (lovely) gallons of water.

So we tried the basement. That was an epic fail. Matt was banging and making noise right above us. To hell with Misty - I was going to have a migraine. So we scurried upstairs to the bedroom. Bones brought his Bestie. They wrestled for awhile. They gazed longingly into each others eyes too - right until Bones bit his nose...


Which brings us to the moment of success! Last week I bought Misty a Thunder Shirt. Matt said I was crazy. I agreed. That's not news. But remember, I am willing to try anything if it makes the world a little friendlier for Misty. She has worn it a few times. Nothing remarkable happened while she was wearing it.

But today. Today would be the day to try it out. With anxiety. Bring on the shakes and drooling! WRONG! After a few minutes, she was asleep! Passed out! Dead to the world - but in the good way! She was giving me the stink eye for taking her picture! And the whole time Matt was hammering, and drilling, and making all sorts of anxiety inducing noises!

That's right. We have found a wonderful solution to Matt's hammering! Thank goodness! We have a winner! And for once - its Misty!!!!!!

And because Bones was confused about why his picture wasn't all over the blog today, here are some shots of Bones.

Nap time. Turn off the camera.

A Beautiful Baby Blanket

Last Saturday was Lesley's baby shower (read about that here). I already told you about that. What I didn't tell you is what I gave her as a gift. This story starts a few months ago.

Lesley knew I wanted to throw her a baby shower. So I emailed her and asked for the emails of a few of her friends. I specifically asked for her bridesmaids from her wedding. As speedily as I could, I emailed them and asked if they wanted to help me create a secret present. In the end there were 10 of us participating in creating a baby quilt for our new Baby Girl.

I picked out the fabrics and mailed everyone a square and a fabric pen. Everyone decorated it differently and mailed it back. Some decorated with poems, others with drawings. Every single square is lovely and covered in love.

Mandy

the fabrics

Jenn

Sarah

Becky

Kimberly

Lauren T.

Keri

Jane

Lauren A.

I just realized I don't have any pictures of my square. Ruh roh. Oh well. It's the colorful one in the middle-ish.  So once everyone mailed me back their squares, I started putting everything together and well, it is gorgeous.

And I know I am very biased. (hahahaha that's funny because some of the cuts were on the bias - that's a quilting joke!!!) But I really loved working on it.

Mostly, I loved making this for two of my favorite people and the third on the way. And I loved giving it to them this weekend. I cannot wait to meet and cuddle their beautiful baby girl. I hope she loves this blanket as much as I loved making it for her.

What did you do yesterday?

Another weekend has come and gone and we did some pretty big things!

Me first! Me first! (Matt could go first, but only if he was writing this, and he's not, so I go first - DUH!)

So yesterday was Lesley's Baby Shower. I helped her mother (Angela) & mother-in-law (Judy) plan this. Back in January I contacted Angela and started talking to her about her plans for the baby shower. The Moms decided they wanted a surprise shower. Oh geez - not my cup of tea (DID YOU SEE THAT - I DON'T LIKE SURPRISES - I THINK I AM BEING VERY CLEAR HERE!!!), but Lesley has thrown many a surprise party for people who don't like them. So we talked and compared notes and realized that we should do one big one for all the family and friends.

Angela & Kimberly (on lookout duty)

I was in charge of all the games! Woo hoo! This meant we only played games I am good at and that I enjoy. No poop (shocker), baby food, or celebrity mom & baby games. I wasn't having that. No ma'am.

The shower was wonderful. The space they found was plenty big enough for us to have separate spaces for eating, painting, and opening presents. 

My car was packed with games,
presents, cupcakes, and a cooler in
the back seat.

Letters we painted for the
baby's nursery

Baby Girl Maurer

Playing games

 

Steve was a great sport and hung out with all women for the whole afternoon. He came for the surprise, stayed for the food, and helped open presents. He even won at Bingo.

The current pile. Originally it was higher than
the table. I couldn't change the TV channel
from the table, it was that high!

Alrighty, Matt's turn. What did he do this weekend? Well, I think it is really this week. He has been very hard at work this week. Last Sunday we ripped out the floors in our living room. This was not a surprise to me. I knew it was coming. But I thought we were doing this during the summer. I was wrong. But not entirely. We have been looking at floors and trying to come to an agreement on colors and wood type for the last few months. We finally found something we both liked, and then he found a great deal. So we had to act on it. Then we had a huge pile of them in our dining room.

So after the wood acclimated to the room, there was no reason to wait another 2 months to get started. So he didn't. We were down to the sub floor last Sunday. He has been working on it every day since. And every day, Misty HATED it. She has full on panic attacks with lots of shaking and drooling. She also tries to escape - through walls and closed windows mostly. 

Misty puddle. She has given up hope and melted into herself.

the first few planks

 Calming down from a panic attack

 No worries, Bones is looking out for her, only a little bit
and while I am taking her picture not his...

So while I was at the shower yesterday, Matt was able to finish the whole room! Today he added the molding and quarter rounds. It looks beautiful! And our house is put back together (for the time being - until he moves into the dining room & kitchen).

I am so grateful for my handy hubs. He is so talented.  He can really do anything.

When we are done with the floors, he is building a new TV cabinet and a nightstand for the little bedroom. So many other plans too.