Jury Duty

A process that started January 6 came to an abrupt end today.  I was selected and juror #6 in a capital murder death penalty trial.  Needless to say I was quite concerned how this would all play out and how I would feel if in fact the defendant was convicted and we had to determine whether he lived or died.  There was no doubt he murdered the prison guard, but the defense contended he was not guilty by reason of insanity.  What little I did her I would have questions the validity of the defense claims.  As it turned out he was offered a plea deal of life without parole which he promptly accepted.  This case had been going on for nearly 12 years and the victim's family in that time decided they did not want him put to death.  They wanted an end to it.   I respect and completely understand their feelings.  To say that it was an interesting experience is quite an understatement!  After it was over we were able to speak with attorneys on both sides and I really felt for the ADA who had been involved from the very beginning on this case.  He clearly was not satisfied with the outcome and truly felt the defendant deserved the ultimate penalty.  The defendant murdered a prison guard when his back was turned with an industrial sized ladle in the kitchen.  He told those who spoke to him that there was enormous amounts of evidence disproving the insanity allegation.  The DA's concern was that it only took one dissenting voice in the jury for a lesser charge would in turn could perhaps allow this man to walk free someday.  I did ask one of the defense attorneys why to took this case and her simple answer was "I don't believe in the death penalty".  I would have liked to have been able to see this through, but frankly I am just as glad it ended the way it did.  It would have been really challenging and very emotional.  I am comforted by the fact that this person will never see the light of a free day!

 

 

 

Now back to the world that makes me happy.......

 

 

 

 

 







Quilty Kind of Day

Keely is home from school today not feeling well.  She is snuggled up in her bed resting and since I am unable to go anywhere it's QUILT TIME!!! Was able to complete a table topper that I had cut out last night.  Really like the pattern and colors.  It was a kit, however, I will definitely use this pattern again and again for gifts.

 

It is a spectacular day out today in Castle Rock.  The winds are down a bit and the view from my kitchen never ceases to calm my spirit.  I love it here!

 

 

 

 

I also finished another table topper on Monday that I got as a kit.  Totally hated the fabrics that came with it, they looked nothing like the picture I used to order it from.  Instead I substituted charm square packs I had in my stash.  I am pleased with the result and this will make a nice size table topper.

 

 

 

Finally I had to put down a beautiful picture of my little one going to her first dance.  It was a daddy/daughter ball and they looked fabulous if I do say so myself!

 

 



Happy Valentine's Day

It's been quite a ride this last year.  Moved back to Colorado after being away for 32 years!  Get to look at this amazing view every time I look out the window....so delightful

Keely is growing like a weed.  She turned 8 last month and it is so much fun having her in our lives.  She brings so much joy and definitely keeps us young.  Parenting as grandparents is as rewarding as it is challenging.

We walk back and forth to school almost every day, weather permitting.  It's a great time for us to share what's on each other's mind.  Our rescue mix Chloe is our walking buddy.  She gets pretty put out if we don't take her with us.

Quilting has kept me very happy.  I am so in love with every step of the process.  Have fallen madly in love with using a long arm and a saving like a mad fiend to purchase my own machine.  It's getting harder and harder to rent time where I have been going as they have become quite popular! 

Made this for my youngest grandson, looks so yummy. 

Summer Fun

Tula Pink Sew Along

My first ever foray into a sew along.  I fell in love with the Tula Pink book and wanted to make something from it.  Joining in on this was the perfect way to dip my toes into the wonderful world of Tula Pink!!  I made a baby blanket with this pretty jelly roll I had picked up somewhnere.  Now all I need is a baby girl to give it to.  It ws fun, easy and turned out nice.  Also gave me a chance to practice my free motion quilting. 

I have already started cutting on another Tula Pink pattern.  Making a quilt for mom for Christmas.  Details and pictures to come soon!!

Super Sunday

What a wonderful relaxing day this was.  Lazy morning waking up with a 6 year old snuggled up next to me.  It doesn't get better than that.  She wasn't feeling very well last night so after giving her medicine for a fever she cuddled with me.  Happy to say that fever gone and stayed gone throughout the day.

Spent several hours with a couple other favorites this afternoon while watching my beloved Kansas City Chiefs tank yet again, sigh.........I love crafting while watching football:

Worked on a quilt for Keely's full size bed (when we get it!).  She falls out of her tiny twin bed way to often so we are getting her a full size bed when we move.  Hopefully she will be able to stay in that!  Sewing and Starbucks - doesn't get a lot better than that on a lazy Sunday.  The blocks in the lower picture will be cut in half, mixed up, and resewed.  Sounds easy enough, BUT, I accidentally closed the blog I had gotten the idea/pattern from and have no clue who/where it was.  Should be interesting to see if I can figure this out all by my little "old" self.  I think there was sashing, but not sure.  I am figuring I will decide as I go along.  I can't wait to see how the blocks look once they are paired up and sewn back together. 

Took a long-arm quilting class last week so I can rent time on a longarm machine at a local store.  Went for a couple hours practice on Wednesday and I have to admit my work was rather dismal!!  I need a lot of practice before I attempt a whole quilt.  I really enjoy it and think it will be lots of fun once I am comfortable with it.  The possibilites are endless and I have no doubt that a longarm is in my future.  Course I do have to share that lofty desire/goal with the other half! 

Almost finished with Liam's camo blankie.  The one I made for him when he was born barely covers him and it's his favorite.  He sleeps with it naptime and bedtime.  His mom (my daughter) asked if I could make him a bigger one.  I, of course, was insanely happy to do so.  The old, well-loved one will go to his brother, baby Isaac who is 7 months old.    Also finished a super snuggly baby blankie for a friend who just had his second son.  It is some of the softest yarn ever and every one I have made and given away has been hugely enjoyed by the new parents!! 

We have a contingency contract on our home and I have to say that the wait is not much fun.  I am ready to move on, although after 21 years in this home, it is really hard to leave.  There are so many memories tied up in this house, most happy but a few not so much.  Those not so much I will be happy to leave behind, but the happy ones make it really sad to leave.  How do you go through 21 years................what to keep?  what to get rid of?  Decisions, decision, decisions.  The light at the end of the tunnel is being able to move back to Denver, where I have wanted to go since the day I left 31 years ago!!  Who knew it would take so long. 

AND HOW WAS YOUR DAY?

Weekend fun

What a glorious fall day here in Overland Park!!  Keely and I walked to school this morning in crisp upper 50 degree weather.  Going to be in low 80's by the time we walk back home.  Gotta love this time of year. 

We started our wonderful weekend with the first skating party of the school year.  Since Keely went to a private kindergarten all of the school stuff is "firsts" for her.  We had a blast and hope to get in lots more practice before the next one rolls around

Saturday morning I took a class at Quilted Memories to learn how to use a longarm quilting machine.  It was so much fun and I am so excited to start practicing.  I have rented some time Tuesday afternoon to do some practice pieces before I attempt an actual quilt.  It's a whole new world opened up for me and I am so excited to be trying it out. 

 

Shortly after I got home my oldest grand-daughter arrived for a sleep-over with cousin Keely.  What a grand time we had.  Lots of dress-up, lots of giggles and laughing, hide & seek, swimming, tooling around the drive in the Barbie Escalade, did I mention laughing and giggline??  It was a late night for those 2 giggly girls and they eventually fell asleep around midnight!! 

Donuts for breakfast Sunday and a day full of laughing commenced.  I love the sound of children and am so blessed to have the cousins near for Keely to play with.  Gary and I worry so over the fact that we will be raising her as an only child, but we are determined to give her as normal a life as possible given that her "mother and father" will not be a part of her growing up.  One of the benefits is that "papa" is around a lot and that never happened when our kids were growing up.  Being retired does have it's benefits! 

I had to share this picture I took of Keely and Avalon last week.  I absolutely love it and the look on her face is darling.  She loves to go to the barn with me and he is such a gentle giant who wants lots of petting and treats from little girls.