We celebrated Mother's Day in grand style.  The family came to my house and we had an amazing brunch.  We laughed and enjoyed each other's company.

For the first time I was not making my mother's day gifts on Mother's day.   I made tote bags for each mother and filled with goodies. 

My mother likes to gamble and go to the casino.  Her bag was created around that theme and each bag has a removal bottom panel.

 My sister is a movie goer and a collector of movies.  We must have popcorn when we go to the movie.  Her bag was filled with popcorn and candy,

My niece, daughter in law and my daughter's soon to be mother- in- law also got tote bags.

Gee's Bend Quilt Donation to Chessmen of the Northshore

Donation to Chessmen t of the North Shore

We attended the Annual Fund Raiser for the Chessmen of the North Shore.  This Not For Profit Organization was founded in 1958.  They have provided scholarships for High School students and Food Baskets to those in need during the Holidays.   There is a silent auction which helps provides the funds for the scholarships and food baskets.  Next year will be year 55 and their  goal is to have 550 attendees.

This is a great event and fun time to make new friends, visit with old friends and dance to an awesome band.

This year I donated the above quilt for the silent auction.  Thanks to the winning bidder of the quilt.

Year End 2011

It is that time again.  An ending of a year and the beginning of a new one.  Time to set new or extend existing goals.  

2011 has been full of achievements and firsts for me.

CJ playing the game of Sorry!

I want to Play too!!

We were blessed with our first grandson,  Cayden James (better known as CJ).  We have been able to spend time with him almost every other weekend.  My son, Courtney has made it a priority that we see and spend time with CJ.  We had our first Christmas with CJ and of course he is only 5 months old but a bundle of JOY!!  Next Christmas will be different because by then he will be walking and we will need to child proof the house.

I ran and completed six  5K runs this year.    I think this was the hardest thing that I have accomplished.  Running required that I push myself to complete the run.  My last run was on Thanksgiving morning.  It was the Evanston First Turkey Run.  For some reason it was not a good day mentally for me.  Half way through the run I wanted to quit and go to my car and return home.  In the back of my mind I was thinking no one would know that I did not finish.  I stopped and sat down on a cold concrete bench.  I walker came by and said  to me " are you waiting for someone"  I said no.  She said " Oh, you can't sit on that cold bench,  you need to help me finish the race".  I immediately go up and walked and talked with her for about 5 minutes.  I explained to her that I needed to finish the run and left her.  I did complete the run and saw her after the race .and thanked her.  She had her daughter take a picture of us. I came home and told my family that I had an Angel watching over me.  The sad thing is that I did not even get her name.  I have found that at these  runs the people are friendly and offer encouragement to others.

I need to extend my goals for completing all my quilting projects that I started.  This will be an ongoing objective, because I can't help but start a new project/technique.

Capital Jazz Cruise

Jim and I attended for the second year the Capital Jazz Cruise.  When I tell you that once you attend this cruise you will not want to go on any other cruise,  that is if your like to party, dance and hear/see great entertainment.  This cruise is like going to a non stop party.  Each night there are two main concerts and then there are other concerts in smaller venues.  This year we attended the Jam sessions after the main shows,  WOW it was such great entertainment.  Artist just came on stage and performed unscripted.  It was unbelievable.!! The Jam sessions became so popular that they had to move the sessions to a larger venue so everyone could attend.  All of the people were friendly.   the first thing that people asked you was "where are you from".  There were brothers and sisters from all over the country.  We visited with people that we met last year and made new acquaintances.

Nick Corleone

Phil Perry

George Duke

Ken Ford

Patty Austin

Sinbad

I am now trying to figure out how to create a collage of all the photos that I took of performers and the the beaches.

It Is A Family Affair

This past weekend had truely been a Family Affair.   Saturday morning we drove to St. Louis and went to visit my Stepfather who informed us that there was a 40th Birthday party for my cousin Regina.  Little did I know that I would see all of my aunts, uncles and cousins that I had not seen for 25-30 years.  OMG what a shocker.  Needless to say I took pictures of everyone,  knowing that my mother would say "Who was there!" 

Sunday we attended an annual family picnic on my birth father's side of the family.  Another good time.    This is a group of 80 year olds partying like rock stars.  I want to look and act like this group when I am 80.  This group should be the Poster Children for 80 year olds. 

Dorothy, Earl, Goldie
Sisters and Brother

It's Official My Mother Is A Great-Grandmother

"It is official my mother is a Great-Grandmother"  this is my answer to everyone who says that you are now a Grandmother.  But all kidding aside,  we have been blessed with a new addition to our family.  A beautiful grandson,  named Cayden James Kent.  He arrived on Monday,  July 11th.

Cayden James Kent being held by his Great-Grandmother Della
the day of his birth

With this electronic age we now live in,  we knew all about our new grandson before he was born.  My son runs into my house saying "Hey Mom where are my baby pictures,  I want to see if Cayden looks like me when I was a baby" as he puts a  DVD into the player to show us an ultra sound in color and 3D of  Cayden.  

I have now joined the ranks of the crazy grandmothers who run around showing pictures of their grandchildren.  I am trying not to be too obnoxious about it,  but it is really hard,  because you think your grandchild is beautiful and everyone else is suppose to think so.  

Cayden James Kent (CJ) One Week Old

Because my son lives an hour away,  his daily responsibility is to send me a picture each day of CJ.  My Daughter is to take pictures when she visits also and to come directly to my house so that I can transfer the photos to my collection.   Warnings to all who read my Blog,  there are bound to be more photos of CJ.

Race Against Hate - 5K

It is Father's day and we are off to the Race Against Hate.  It is beautiful morning the the weather is great.  One of my goals for 2011 was to be able to run a 5K.  My daughter, Annette,  has been my trainer and biggest supporter.  Setting goals is easy,  but achieving them requires a commitment and focus.  Sometimes you may not reach the goal when you planned but if you continue to add it to your list each year you will eventually accomplish it.  I think we sometime have a goal and if we do not accomplish it when we say we will we push it to the side and think that no one will know.

In addition to setting the goal you also need to make it public,  so that others can remind you of your goal when you get off track.  Believe me,  people will help keep you on track and they want to share in your accomplishment as well.  Over this past year I have had many coaches,  even if they don't think they are,  but when someone tells me they are going to call my daughter if they see me eating something that I should not.

I am taking this quote from Annette's post on Facebook,  because it really expresses my sentiment "
Most times, standing still is the easy choice in life. But I've never seen anyone fly with both feet on the ground. And I've never seen greatness come from doing what's "easy". If I've learned anything thus far in life... it's knowing when to leap..."

Well I LEAPED and finshed the race.  This was a major accomplishment for me.  When I started I could not run for one minute without huffing and puffing. 

I also finished my inspirational quilt for my 5K.  Now onto the next adventure and journey.

My daughter and I signed up for another race on July 17 we will be in the Mother and Daughter group.