The Company that Plays Together...

The past couple of years have been tough to say the least. Somehow before the market completely fell apart, we saw the writing on the wall and the directors made some very hard choices. We went from a firm of 76 people to one of 53 people in one day. Over the past two years, we have become a company of 20 people. We've hated it but it had to be done to save the company. Most that had to leave have found jobs that they love and the rest of us are all still here making it work.

It is hard.

It is stressful.

But we are stronger for it...as a company...as engineers and surveyors...as people...as friends.

Yesterday we had a company meeting. All but two were there. The feel in the room was promising and determined. People asked questions. People listened. People seemed resolute in their commitment to continuing to tough it out together.


Yesterday we drew a line in the sand. We have made it and are ready to start building again.

Slowly. Strategically. Methodically.

But first...

We eat (and eat and eat).

We play Scrabble. (Who says engineers can't spell?)

We play Rock Band 2...and laugh...a lot at Steve's attempt at Bon Jovi.

We smile...the happy owners...hopeful and ready for 2010.

Christmas Gifts

Gift 1 - a boy loving a new truck


Gift 2 - laughter after a grand home-cooked meal


Gift 3 - a big ol' smile from another boy loving a truck

Gift 4 - Shelby makes a new friend


Gift 5 - Nephews opening a gazillion presents


Gift 6 - a nest of presents and a goofy grin

Gift 7 - a butt shot


Gift 8 - the joy of the wrapping paper pile


Gift 9 - My "little" brother succeeding in frying the turkey and sparing the house...and the yard...and the cars


Gift 10 - "Big brothers"


Gift 11 - a visit from an old friend...and a new one


Gift 12 - THAT look on his face and the smile on hers

Gift 13 - Being able to share with an open heart


Gift 14 - knowing more is to come.

The Women Gather

Though there are a few of us who live very near where our clan originates, there are just as many who have landed elsewhere - Savannah, Pensacola, Baltimore, San Francisco. For once in many holidays, most of us were here in one spot.

So we did what we do best...had lunch.

Getting us all to look at the same camera at the same time...we're not as adept as we are at eating lunch together.

Snow!

When they call for snow around here, my typical reaction is "I'll believe it when I see it". We haven't had a decent snowfall since the first year I moved here.

Yesterday, we finally got a good snow. We got around 8" - enough to slow everyone down for a bit.


So today was a perfect snow day.

It was Saturday which meant I'm not going to get further behind at work.

We slept in - or at least until 8:00.

I cooked breakfast - because, of course, I was at the grocery store yesterday with all the rest of the panicked and frenzied. (I wasn't either. I have 4 wheel drive and if it came to it, I can walk to the grocery store form my house.)

Shelby and I went for a walk in the snow.

I loved it. She didn't. I wouldn't either if my bare belly was 6 inches from the ground.



Then the snow plows came through and cleared the road so we can go to our Christmas party tonight.

Life is good.

Oh yeah...it's Saturday which means I get to draw a name for my giveaway.

The winner is...Marlene! So, Marlene email your snail mail address to me and I'll send you a little Christmas cheer.

Post 201

Yep. I made it to 201 posts. So, to celebrate sticking to something for so long, I think I'll give something away.

I need a good laugh though. Work has me stress out beyond belief. I hope to never again have 15 projects out to bid at on time...15 federally funded projects...15 state regulated projects. It's a lot like the Starship Enterprise...going where no one has gone before. It's scary. It's dark. It's a giant black hole of paperwork, phone calls, contracts and never getting paid. I'm just waiting for the Romulans to vaporize me.



So, to enter my giveaway, leave me a message on this post by this Saturday morning (say...10:00 a.m. EST).

Tell me a funny Christmas story.

Everyone's got at least one.

And I really need a good laugh.

The winner gets my last little Christmas tree wall hanging.

Great Mail & a Couple of Finishes

I love getting packages in the mail especially on a Monday. It's a reminder that there's a great big world out there with wonderful people and wonderful things. It turns a rat race Monday into not so bad after all.

Today I received my signature blocks from the block exchange Melissa organized a few months back. They are wonderful! Thank you Melissa and thank you to everyone that participated. I can't wait to start playing with them!



Yesterday our Dinner for Eight group from church met for brunch. (So, I guess that made us brunch for Eight, huh?) Anyway, the purpose of this program is to get groups from church together a few times so we can get to know each other beyond waving at each other from across the pews. Since we live in a little bitty house and can't serve dinner for eight, our "turn" is always in a restaurant. I decided that since I can't "host" and it was our last gathering before switching groups and it's Christmas, that I'd make little gifts. So, I made each family on of these little trees. They were great fun to make and everyone seemed to love them. Made me all warm and fuzzy.



On another note, I've had this rug hooked for months and just couldn't make myself sit down and bind it. Once I got started, it went fairly quickly. Unlike binding a quilt (which is one of my favorite steps), binding a rug isn't even close to my favorite part.



And finally, here's Shelby helping me wrap presents. She's a big help. Can't you tell?

More Holiday Spirit

Continuing a new trend to enjoy the holidays to the fullest, I met my mom at the Carolina Theater for a showing of "It's a Wonderful Life". The movie was, of course, wonderful as was having a girl's night with my mom. But that theater...it is a magical place full of old memories.

It was an abandoned ruin when I was taking ballet classes up the street in the 70's. There was an old filling station next door where we always stopped for gas and to visit with the old guy that ran the station. I remember looking at the old broken down marque and hearing my mom tell me about when she used to come to the Carolina as a child to see the movies.

After the big fire in 1981, I remember anxiously waiting to see if it would reopen in time for the one and only beauty pageant I was ever in. It did and I got the privilege of wandering around the old backstage and dressing rooms.

Later in the 80's, I volunteered there as an usher and popcorn maker during fundraising events...which is why I know movie popcorn is probably the most decadent thing you can ever have (and I enjoy every kernel).

It's been a good 25 years since I've walked through those doors before tonight. It hasn't changed a bit. Same old rocking seats that will dump you into the row behind you if you sit back too fast...same red velvet curtains on the stage and gold gilt angels on the walls...same organ playing being played by someone as everyone finds a seat...and Mom waiting in the lobby for me to walk in the door.

It truly is a wonderful life.

The Nutcracker

Last night I made Dave go to see NC School of the Arts production of "The Nutcracker". I have wanted to go see it for so many years and just never made it. It was more wonderful than words. The set is gorgeous. The costumes are inventive and fascinating. The music is, of course, priceless and the choreography perfection. Having worn those toes shoes very briefly what seems a hundred years ago, I held my breath the whole time in awe of the talent on that stage.

And Dave? For a good ol' Stokes County boy, he was beside himself. He loved every minute...which makes me smile.

Candle Tea

I met my mom, two nephews and ex-sister-in-law at Old Salem this afternoon to take the boys to their first Candle Tea. Growing up, this was an annual event for my mom, my brother and me. The line is always long but it is worth the wait. Lucky for the rest of the party, I came over early and stood in line. They arrived as I was standing at the door to go inside...which made it a lot easier for us (imagine a 6 year old boy and a 10 year boy standing in line in the cold rain for 45 minutes - not pretty).

If you're in the Salem area the first two weekends in December, put the Candle Tea on your "must do" list. If this doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit, nothing will.

Happy Bee

Last night our bee gathered for an evening out instead of meeting in one of our homes. It was one of the few (if ever) times that we had all ten of us in one spot. We enjoyed a each other's company and a wonderful meal at Downtown Thai. It's one of my favorite places. Not only is the food fantastic but our own bee member, Karen, did the interior design. It is warm and inviting and very beautiful.

Holiday Kick-Off

Years ago, I always got an early start on preparing for the holidays. I always had most of my shopping done my Thanksgiving. I always spent Thanksgiving Sunday putting my tree up and getting my little apartment decorated. I always had time to sit back and enjoy the holidays - first with my friends - going to see the holiday shows and concerts, then with my family once I came home for Christmas break.

For eight years of college and five years of State employment, I was in holiday heaven.

Then, I became a grown-up with a private-sector job...a career, if you will.

As a matter of fact, until last year, we had not put up a Christmas tree in 4 years.

My mother was mortified. She actually started wondering if I was really her child. Christmas is BIG in our family. I'd be willing to bet we have more decorations than the North Pole itself. I was a senior in high school the last time I sat on Santa's lap for a photo. Santa came to our house until I was 30.

Seriously.

But I digress. Back to present day...

For some reason, in spite of a hellacious schedule at work, this year has come together when the past few years have not.

As of this past Thanksgiving weekend, I have:

• 80% of my homemade presents finished

• 90% of the gifts bought
• 85% of the gifts wrapped
• gotten the tree up and decorated

• hung the stockings (including a new enormous stocking for Miss Shelby)

• purchased tickets for The Nutcracker for this weekend
• made plans to meet my mom and nephews for the Salem Candle Tea.

Go ahead.

Call me names.

I can take it.

Diva Dog

Our friend, Julie Wagoner, is an exceptional photographer. If you haven't checked out her blog, now is the time. We spent a couple of hours with her on Saturday doing a photo shoot with Shelby. Having been there and witnessed the patience required, I am even further amazed by Julie's talent.

Really. Go check out Shelby's sneak peek on Julie's blog. I know I'm bias because I think Shelby is THE most beautiful pup on the planet but wow.

uppercase photography

More on the Quilt Sale

My friend, Julie, just sent me the photos she took at the quilt sale yesterday. (Genius here forgot her camera...which is about worthless now anyway so maybe it's not such a loss. hint, hint, Santa)

Here I am with the lady that bought the big quilt on the wall. It's going to a mountain home where it belongs.

Here's "my wall". My quilts hang on this wall of the shop all the time. The wall across from it rotates every month with various artists through Community Arts Cafe. Chelsee's owner, Gena's dad made the wonderful ladder in the middle there.

Here I am with Tina, one of my high school buddies that surprised me with a visit. Tina and I have know each other since we were about 5 years old. Oh, the stories we could tell...but we won't.

Here are all four of us. Julie, me, Tina and Pam. The four of us have known each other since 7th grade. It doesn't matter if 10 days or 10 years have past, we pick up just where we left off.

Here's Julie and me with the quilt she bought. I stopped by her house today and got to see where it now lives happily ever after. I also got to buy some wonderful pottery pieces. Julie has done pottery for more years than I've been quilting and her work is beautiful. The idea was to give them as Christmas gifts but I'm not sure I can part with them. (So if you get pottery from me this year, you will know you must be pretty darn special.)

Quilt Sale Day

The weather cleared up just for me today. I had my big quilt sale at Chelsee's and it was a success. I have 11 fewer quilts and they all went to good homes. I spent the day visiting with friends from near and far. The best part was three high school buddies surprising me with a visit. When I looked up and saw them come in the door, I screamed like a little girl. It was a great day.

Another Wonderful Retreat Weekend

This weekend was our annual fall quilter's retreat weekend to Montreat. The weather could not have been more perfect. Unfortunately, I ended up driving up by myself because Laura was fighting off the flu still. I don't mind driving alone; I just hated she was missing the trip.

If I could live anywhere, I'd live in these hills. Driving up I-40 makes me happy.


A few of us decided to take off a little early and head to Needle Me This in Burnsville (about a hour away). What a sweet shop!


Afterwards, we had a lovely lunch at Nu Wray Inn and then heading back down to set up for the rest of the women to show up.


I spent the weekend sitting in a rocker, sewing on binding. It was perfection. It was made even better when Laura called the Thursday night and said she would be heading up the next morning.

We had a full house and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and getting a lot done.





On Saturday, seven of us hiked to Lookout Summit. There was panting and whining but the view and the journey was well worth every step.

In-Town Retreat

Friday, some of our bee got together for an in-town retreat. It is always a blast. Unfortunately, half the pictures I took came out blurry. I'm hoping Santa is bringing me a new camera for Christmas.

I spent the day paper piecing little log cabin blocks. It was a nice break from all the machine quilting I've been doing.




Sharon was a binding machine all day long. This is one of her gorgeous quilts.


Karen was working with tiny little jewels of fabric and created a couple of wonderful pieces. Her artist's mind boggles me.

But... bending over those tables all day took a toll. When we were packing up, I caught her making good use of the residual heat from her iron!

It was a fun day and a great break for me after the past few weeks at work.

At the end of the day, I wasn't the only one pooped though. I turned around from my desk to find Shelby snoozing with one of her toys. Is that not the sweetest thing ever?